the road

in a world that is more
fluff than climactic
where longevity and legacy
come in second
fashions are fast,
and the timeless outdated
i found a love everlasting
withstanding the peaks and valleys
handcrafted, sturdy, and resilient

i realized the roadblocks
getting here had been no accident
every detour had brought me closer
there was more to this
than i'd ever anticipated
life was full of more
surprise, intrigue, and possible outcomes
but i'd have to do more
than just ride out the storm

i had to take the wheel
choose the direction i was going
the losses i was willing to take
the people
i'd pick up along the way
freeways would get me across quickly,
highways offered more opportunity,
but it is on the backroads and byways
that life's lessons are learned

a bit messy, hard, rough and dirty
more stick than carrot most days, but
i was determined
making a classic,
trying to keep it classy
something to model,
but not directly copy
in a world full of promise,
where nothing is promised

i found love,
in the eye of the storm,
and the courage to open my door
to lean in to the role
of Captain and co-pilot
navigating the new
the unknown territory
with a bit of excitement
and a growing tenacity