Put away
all your expectations.
Living here
isn’t going to be
what you thought,
and rarely
what you wanted.
Just try to abide
reality.
No doubt
you’ll encounter
hostiles.
They take the form
of those we’d like
to know
Hopes and dreams
are fertile soil
for disappointment.
You’ll dig them up
more than
you’ll ever grow.
Waiting at the gates,
campaigning for the wounded.
Flowers in the spring
pass on the sun’s light hand.
The withering gaze
of another day
behind us.
Taking in the world
from where we stand.
It’s like
knowing the dream
before you’re sleeping.
Knowing what door
our minds will venture through.
State your aim,
be plain,
and work with passion.
Attaining
that next thing
in front of you,
is no small thing
to do.
HG – 2021