Portent of the Future

Years ago
I went with my sister and mother
to Brown University
scouting the place
for my sibling's potential
collegiate home
and I don't remember much
as I was twelve
but I do remember
the soda machines
which could be charged
to your meal plan
with your student ID
as it was 1996
this was quite breathtaking
and technologically advanced
how easy
how convenient
how delicious
what a marvel
higher learning must be
I thought
what wonders the future must hold
for myself
and the world.

I was wrong and I was right.