On A Happier Street

When dark clouds came, 
For days you shuttered windows, 
Rechecked locks -- 
But the warnings were worse than the storm, 
And you missed weeks upon weeks of freedom. 

When the challenges came, 
You ran out to try all the things 
That everyone else said to try: 
Posting images of fabulous places 
And you looking amazing in them -- 
But at the end of each night, you found yourself 
Tired of living everyone else's life for them. 

So you tried an in-between way: 
Rooted now to where you've placed your feet, 
But exploring every aspect of your world, 
Your friends, your community -- 
A life some call "too dangerous", 
And others call "too boring", 
But which is, for you, authentic, 
Alive, and

Fulfilling