Longing

What is life –

This seamless, chaotic tapestry

Between two dates on an old stone?

Why do I even try to equal,

Or rival,

Or approach rivaling

The legendary painted faces

Peering over my shoulder?

How to avoid the critical eyes of the past

As one searches desperately

For an independent path?

Why must I follow in my forebears’ footsteps

When a short trailblaze away,

Verdant landscapes gleam, unknown?

The line of parent to child

Is a link in a chain –

One of love, but binding nonetheless.

Cannot a new human break away

And out through barriers

Of fast food, perfume advertisements, and disinformation?

Please, soothe an aching soul and say,

Is there another path?

Am I foolish even to search?

I, in my muddled mundane humanity

Strive towards the distant stars.