my long walk

i often imagine

watching my life in replay

contemplating

what i would change

the moments

i was afraid

the moments

i felt unsure

unworthy

unappealing

the moments

i settled

and ask myself

why

in retrospect

i would live everyday

in color

i would

put my words down sooner

open my arms wider

love bigger

and with a whim

of luck

i still have today

so

i will not let trivialities

get in my way

the road may narrow

but the weeds

look beautiful

as i paint

the only story

i own

my own

to be in love

with my life

the people

the places

the moments

my collection of treasures

all the while

aware

i travel alone

the long and diminishing road

— patty

art by sheree greider “road trip”