Traveling

There are roads and paths and rocky terrains

filled with right turns and wrong turns and steep hills and flat plains

days and years with fellow travelers, and days you traipse alone

days of wonder and nights of wondering

thoughts of future bliss and past mistakes

while leaving trails full of u-turns and dead ends.

so easy to be discouraged in the face of disappointments,

dilemmas and catastrophes

darkening the sunlight, casting shadows over joy

and suddenly the roadway is replete with detours and warning signs

but the journey has been long, and only one placard keeps you going,

keep living on the smile side of life.

Living on the Smile Side of Life