Future in the Offing

Sidewalks of time

find most of us bumping into each other

while you, Mr. Future, slip sideways in between the rush,

forging ahead to the next cross walk,

presenting more surprises awaiting the unafraid.

Instinct often dictates to cross left

while to turn right might bring greater reward.

but as you know so well, navigating life’s decisions

brings bitter smiles for some,

and humbling joy for others.

Why didn’t you make a one direction fits all map?

And why haven’t we been properly introduced,

even though we’re like every day walkin’, talkin’, buddys.

‘cept for those times when we run past each other,

me rushing somewhere north, you moving south,

me reaching the next cross-walk,

stumbling over a cat noshing a pizza crust

as a bride and groom exit the cathedral dodging wedding rice, and across the street a flower-laden hearse unloads

a different kind of offing into that corner’s small gray church.