Response to "The Difference Between Pepsi and Coke"

In his poem, "The Difference Between Pepsi and Coke", David Lehman uses the notion of priority in order to convey the message that people often make inconsequential decisions in life much more readily than important choices. Lehman seems fascinated by his father's inadequate personal life juxtaposed with the less important but much more impressive abilities outside of it. His "Pop" is simultaneously indifferent to (and incompetent with) many of life's issues such as his marriage and his analysis of business, yet still very discerning when considering small details. This poem forced me to consider my own life, in which I am currently incapable of remembering my own Social Security number, but can easily remember the license plate number to every vehicle owned by 7 members of my family for the last 15 years. Lehman's work helped me to realize that sometimes, certain subjects just adhere themselves to one's psyche more easily than others; even if that means I'm great with license plates, and terrible with most other things.