Sometimes, I wish it could be as
simple as following a beacon,
to have someone with a lantern
guiding my way through this life

to be one of those folks who finished
college and followed their career track
to retirement, no twists and turns to
navigate, no changing course mid-stride.

What must that feel like,
walking a mown path through
this fragile system of lies,
security?

With benefits and steady income,
a consistent schedule and routine,
or is it stagnation?
Always the same tired thing.

Other times, I’m grateful for these
adventures I keep having,

    for new side quests taking me into
        territories never explored as I draw

a map with crooked
                                    lines and           s    p    i    r    a    l    s,
    holding my own lantern to light the way, 
            relying on
                                hope         for each next step,

living an uncharted life.