Dawn at the Crossroads

The crescent moon was in the east

a soft golden-red light on the horizon

the moon is rising late, or very very early

but there is something magical about the moon and the sun sharing space

In the clear light of the new day

with Puppy beside me

I stand in the center of the deserted intersection

for all its mundane appearance

it's still a crossroads

The neighborhood dogs are howling

As I turn my back to the rising sun

and throw the water over my shoulder

We walk away without looking back

leaving what isn't wanted behind us.

It's still in that place of not quite dark

not quite light

and the birds are stirring

as we head home

toward the east

the still-bare trees are black against the sky

and on the branches is the shadow of a squirrel

watching the crescent moon.

Lost

Here we are again

all of us in here (it's crowded in my head)

back at a crossroads

having thought we were in the right place

on the right path

only to find that maybe we're not

It seemed like a good fit

tactile, creative, varied and demanding

but now

faced with realities beyond our control

we aren't so sure

would we want to do this somewhere else?

Or is it time to consider a new direction?

Sometimes we think we're getting a bit old for this

We should have had ourselves sorted by now

Most people know what they're doing by this point

Know where they're going

Don't they?

Well into middle-age

and at least today

we still don't know

what we want to be when we grow up.

We had dreams, we have dreams,

and where we are at this moment

just doesn't match.

Knowledge of mortality has become more present over the last few months, bringing a bitter taste of risks not taken, adventures untried, skills not mastered. Depression is threatening to visit again, taking no notice of the 'no vacancy' sign.

I'm back in that uncomfortable place, with one voice shouting 'suck it up and get on with it' and another murmuring 'be where you are'. Too fuzzy to go within and listen with any sense of clarity. Or maybe just too lazy.

So, start where you are. Right. Where is that exactly?

Waiting. Waiting for others to make a decision that affects the immediate answer. Waiting for myself to answer the deeper question - where do I want to go, and how do I want to get there?