Following the path of age was long and treacherous
Mud balls of ideals and experiences
Carefully collected along the way
Stuck secure and heavy to my feet
Overflowing responsibilities
Carefully gathered, stuffed in a pack,
And securely strapped to my back
Simultaneously strengthened and weakened me
Priding myself with the treasures I obtained
And armed with undaunted focus on easy times to come
I forged forward, compelled and burdened
With dutiful determination griped on my face
Finally seeking to redeem earned treasures
Redemption had turned to a mirage
Always disappearing just as I reached to claim it
The unobtainable reward had simply been the journey itself