the stream of life on a highway of time
an unstoppable force always in flux
dire times challenge ingrained beliefs
for a distant carrot on a stick
wishing away the current struggle

unrelenting pursuit of happiness
meanwhile the fleeting moment dissipates
into the vastness of past memories
soon forgotten not forgiven

the regret always a close friend
sharing space with guilt and self pity
the trio asking for validation
graceful acceptance of self

on a threshold of a new era
feelings acknowledged
the pressure released
new life embraced
in the now