I took the route not taken often these days;

the one I used to take as an observer

before my curiosity had worn thin

with my waist, hairline, patience and energy.

 

But in the minutes between checking emails,

talking to my girlfriend at length on the phone

and being generally pre-occupied,

embers temporarily regain their glow. 

 

I can recall a certain innocence

or train of thought; a good day and a shit day;

a person I wish I still kept in touch with;

a road I thought I'd never see again. 

 

It was always here, even if I wasn't,

and it will be here again. I would bet that 

by the time I next trudge round the street corner

today's success is a distant memory

 

and yesterday's failure lingers on the mind.

Maybe that's the message to take from all this;

Life is just a competition with the past

that you can't win, however you look at it.