Youth
Laddie, just around the corner your new life awaits
Chose carefully, you have your pick of diverse fates
A future can be whatever you can envision in your mind
But fixation on riches and fame will turn your heart blind
Fledgling
If you do it, be decisive, go all in
Wondering sideways east to west
Gains you no ground for the win
Expect obstacles, just a stress test
Turn your face into the slipstream
Navigate the tricky island keys
Rope the clouds and pull your dream
Work the sail, harness the breeze
Evolving
The road to heaven is sold-out in advance
The train to hell is quicker with less distance
The journey is scattered with temptation
Declining value for wistful affirmation
Wisely pick your poison, enjoy your sin
Your tab comes due but we can do it again
Leap bravely screaming with firmly shut eyes
Hit water or clear the wall, enjoy the surprise
Prepping for plan B doesn’t guarantee defeat
You can pick once more just change your seat
Speeding ahead of the morning sunshine
Gets you quicker to the western coastline
North is not up, the compass doesn’t lie
The right path is through your mind’s eye
Perseverance
The water gathers, balls up and slowly extends
Between seconds, time stretches and bends
Counting the moments between teasing drips
Twisting what remains into a long ellipse
Of all the choices, which is the right road
Many back trails traveled, lessons to download
Witnessing death throws everything off course
Wondering aimlessly to get back on the horse
Setbacks are blinding like the meanest blizzard
Truth is needed, divine guidance from a wizard
Alone in a crowd tiptoeing surrounded in darkness
Smiles not miles, measure love’s forward progress
Rounded Corners
The worn path comes with comfortable blinders
Keeping us lined straight with many reminders
In the back of the head a song buzzes to get out
Suppressed, but music of your life begs to shout
Convention is all about square fit and precision
Right is norm, left adventure, all of this indecision
Reflection
Across the playing field of life there’s more than what you see
Far past the corner and the coming attractions marquee
Sometimes saintly intentions become scattered in the wind
Gains and losses, each step in a long journey to the end
As the sun recedes, the last embers gone from the sky
Know why you lived, squeeze every drop before you die