Navigation

By Mark Fleisher

As we age, some
glide gracefully,
others stumble
headlong or
feet first
into this new space

Leaf through
the memoir
of the mind,
clear the dust
from old souvenirs,
recall the
master plan
derailed by
unanticipated
events, some
of your
own creation

Remember the voyage,
once smooth,
later blown
off course
but managing
to steer through
troubles without
running aground

Travel along
the path, suddenly
knocked off stride
onto the shoulder,
the loose gravel
bruising the ego,
scraping the psyche

Where we are taken
where we find ourselves
destinations never
imagined when
we sailed
the glass sea or
walked the
unimpeded way

We learned
to play
the hand
as dealt,
still wary
for hornets
are everywhere,
poised to plunge
stingers through
trusting innocence