Unreal Reality
The ground crunches beneath the feet of the hopeful
Step by step a light creeps closer
Close enough to touch its fragile frame
To feel the cool air of victory
Every step forward is one away from a somber reality
One moment, it is there, another disappeared
The dream shatters
A resounding crash envelops the traveler into the cold embrace of the harsh truth
It is over.
Reality, once relentlessly stalking, now pounces onto the unknowing as the predator
It thrusts a different thought into the minds of those on the road
Turn around.
The journey has ended with one simple step in the wrong direction
Turn around.
The traveler stumbles, attempting to recapture the lost light, but falls to the hard unforgiving earth, dry, brown dust rising up like an ominous cloud.
Turn around.
No longer can they step forward, only back
Now they turn around, grasping onto just a fragment of the dream, which evaded them.
They cannot, will never let go.
Continuing backward they pass the expectant expressions of the others
Sight compromised by rose-colored glasses
Naïve, seeking the same dream
The journey is over.
Start again.
A simple phrase seemingly whispered by the calm wind
But the dream can be, will be renewed.
They turn forward; ready to face the challenge of the long dirt road ahead.
It has begun.
The light flickers, the dream yearning to be set free
Acceptance is not an option
The journey has only begun.
Start again.