Into a clearing

We are all here
doing the same thing,
fumbling.
Searching high and low
for the right words;
a story that will make sense.

Shouldn’t there be a code?
A secret handshake,
like the sorority girls use
to gain entrance to the locked door.
Where is the map
with the X that marks the spot?
Where is the breadcrumb trail
left for us to follow?

Or are we simply meant
to stumble
and tremble
and stray
until some elusive moment
when we emerge into a clearing-
the sun finally warming our shoulders?

ATW, 2009