ONLY SO MUCH

Life is a journey they say.
There is one thing they fail to explain.
They say you can’t take everything with you when you die.
Although many act like they can try.
Even in life you can’t take everything.
Even in life you have to choose what to bring.
We can’t carry an estate from point A to point B.
No, we can’t carry everything.
We have to be thoughtful with what we pack.
Try as you might, you can’t carry the whole sack.
One suitcase is all you will get.
Pack carefully, without regret.
Pack for the season you are in.
Sometimes it will be the same stuff again.
Other times you will have to leave something behind.
In order to pick up “peace of mind”.
And every journey does not come with the same party.
Each character will have a path for them to journey.
Enjoy your time with each traveler on the road.
But don’t become mad when they have to go.
One thing at a time,
One step kept in rhyme.
Because there is only so much one person can do.
Control only what you can hold on to.
Let everything else fall through your fingers.
You are not responsible for everyone else’s triggers.
You are not responsible for everyone’s path or bags.
It’s okay if they think you are a walking red flag.
You will always be a villain in someone else’s view.
But there is only so much a human can do.
Keep the margins blank, don’t fill it in.
Otherwise you will be running yourself thin.
Then neither journey will be completed well.
The traveler’s purpose can easily become derailed.
When others’ wishes become bigger than the author’s purpose.
What seemed right only just on the surface,
Could become the traveler’s misfortune. 
When the author’s original plan becomes distorted.
We are not gods, but only humans with human abilities.
We are just travelers with finite capabilities. 
Do your best you can to honor the author.
By this your testimony will be stronger.

by R.D. Jess