Forlorn Highway

Speeding down the highway, 

Switching lanes as you go, 

Rushing to get somewhere, 

A somewhere you don’t know. 

You didn’t choose the route, 

Don’t know the destination, 

But you dutifully stay on course, 

Despite your own frustration. 

Traffic jams and bottlenecks, 

Barricades at every turn, 

Despite what might be best for you,

You’re past the point of no return. 

A greedy tollbooth operator, 

Demands you pay the price, 

To keep on this forlorn highway, 

Not ideal but it must suffice. 

For all you see around you, 

Is others following suit, 

Driving somewhat blindly, 

On a futile happiness pursuit. 

Traffic in all directions, 

Surrounded by lost souls, 

Barreling ever forward, 

Fueled by nonconsensual goals.

They say you’re getting somewhere,

Though never seeming to advance, 

The only way to truly move, 

Is to take a real chance. 

Switching lanes may save you seconds, 

And keeps the traffic flowing,

But if the destination was not a choice,

Why rush to where you’re going?

You ponder all this as you go, 

Passing off ramps every day,

Chances to change course, 

But from the path you never stray.

But stray you must, ignore the signs!

Don’t listen to what they say,

For getting lost is truly how,

You will finally find your way.