One Step At A Time

I wish I could tell you there was a specific day
that I looked at the watch on my wrist
converted two hands into numbers
and had the exact time
when it all changed
but I can’t

take a step

kids are always told to grow up
they don’t know what that means
so they dress a certain way
and use words they don’t know the meanings to
until the day finally comes
when life steals their childhood for good

take another step

should I go look in the mirror
to make sure I’m still the same
or is that a waste of time
because even though I see myself every day
and never notice a difference
old photo albums will tell the truth

take another step

it is as if I am carrying a backpack
one that is full of yesterday’s discoveries
and making space for tomorrow’s unknowns
never really worrying about today
just being lost while being in the present
not knowing I am here until I realize I was

take another step

and the future seems further away than ever
even if I’m closer now than before
maybe I should’ve copied someone else’s paper
back when they had us write down our dreams
instead of scribbling down anything
because I was told I could be

take another step

some people are happy
some people are sad
is the future all a lie
covered up with fake smiles and money
because we have to do something
instead of anything

take another step

remember the song on the playground
about love and a baby carriage
it’s not as funny anymore
some of the ears that heard those words
now see them with their eyes
and feel them every day with their heart

take another step

the ones who don’t see or feel those words
are often asked why
as if there is something wrong with them
but maybe it’s harder than we all thought
to find the other piece of our puzzle
and say we’re in love with the way they’re in love

take another step

we are told to never compare ourselves to others
yet everyone always feels the need to ask questions
just to see if they are winning the race
because it’s all a little game
meant to build up egos and tear down others
all in the name of being polite

take another step

none of this mattered a short time ago
answers were never needed for a list of questions
nor were explanations given to the unseen and unheard
it is a different world now
and my age is the all access pass
that I can never refund

take another step

with all the time that passes
I move further away from the person I was
and closer to the person I will be
while always being the person I am
it’s the only way I’ll get there
one foot in front of the other

one step at a time.