A path chosen took me where I did not expect it, dead-ends riddled every turn, concrete walls high as old growth forest trees. Such a terrible heartache, I felt stuck looking for an exit. The outcome different in my mind, perplexing beats of my heart, longing for a gentle breeze.

Stuck in a wandering mind, the path I kept choosing was one I believed would set me free, take me to a desire that burned inside of me. Other paths crossed my way, but I just said, “maybe another day.” As the saying goes, “the trouble is, you think you have time”, and it kept passing me by.

A patchy green, moss covered path became my life, rigid in choice, stuck on outcomes, and not the road. Next to the path, sometimes moss, more often dirt, a river flowed, sometimes cold, sometimes warm.

The icy waters crossed my steps from time to time, the icy waters where fishes swam. Tired of longing and unrequited eyes, I wanted to jump in the current, think no more and have a good cry. I stepped in and slowly let go, diving deep, lack of air was never in the plan. Wet myself from head to achy toes, welcoming the icy flow. Clear waters, always sweeping by my side, grounding a racy mind, heartbeats slowed in tune with time.

I know a choice was made for me a long time ago, a distant precedent, way before the big bang. Trust was key and in my past I did not know, to be free of outcomes and just let the river flow.

-A.Garcia