a hesitation on the stair


a extra couple of seconds

combing the hair by the hall mirror


running into a neighbor

who takes 75 words to say

what can be said in 10


any of these situations

and any many others

could put you off your aspiration

and make you late for what no longer matters


so count on little more

than a 50-50 chance

to get to where you're going

or back to where you just left

either way you wind up following


the path you tread

branches out like a long afternoon shadow

of skyward clutching trees

and whatever your immediate destination

a dawdle in your step will change everything

but the place where you think you're arriving



Content (c) 2008-2012 Philip Milito. All rights reserved.