the trip.

the path is paved
from the soles of our feet
our soul in each step

along the way
we’re greeted by other travelers
who may join us
for a moment or two

our paths are aligned
a brief whisper in time
but we’re meant to walk alone

picking up and putting down
forming connections
cultivating space

sometimes following
and sometimes leading

these are our journeys
people leave
and people return
rain falls
and tears dry

we’re guided by the stars and the moon
although it’s not always easy to listen
thoughts scream that we must turn back

recover what was lost
carrying the pieces
we’re no longer meant to hold

sometimes
we carry nothing at all
and life feels empty of meaning
but that’s only another part of the path

freeing space
for flowers to bloom
wondrous and beautiful

it’s sometimes lonely
but what is joy
without a hint of sadness

our lives are a series of steps in time
sprinting forward
and looking backward

it’s easy to fall
when our eyes are glued to the past
and we can’t see
where we’re going

and it’s tempting to give up
when we’re carrying
more than we can hold

not quite sure
where we’re going
but we’ll never be lost
if we find a home in ourselves

the path of humanity
has unexpected twists and turns
but nothing is good or bad
only and up and down

trying to carry people and things
so we’re no longer alone

but we emerge
as an individual
and we fall
the same way

courageous
for having followed the path
despite the pain

attempting to discern meaning
when there is none to be found
telling ourselves
who we are
when we’re no one at all

trying on personalities
and beliefs
like clothes
concealing our true form

when it rains
they get wet
sometimes
we make ourselves miserable
refusing to change
because although we’ve outgrown what we’re wearing
it’s scary to take it all off
and dance naked in the rain

afraid to show others
who we are
without the items we carry
the egos we hold.