Love the story you’re living right now.
In a not-too-distant future, you’ll see its beauty;
you’ll have learned a few of its lessons.

The story of your present frames you in the role
of the main character. Please rise to the occasion.
Only you are suitable to fill the position.

The plot will evolve as only good stories can
with gentle turns and jarring twists. You will
laugh, cry, fail, succeed.

The setting may shift beyond what your imagination
can conjure. But isn’t there some peace in being
wholly unable to accurately predict exactly where
you might go?

You are not alone. The other characters will drift
around and near you. They’ll be full of mixed
measures of love, support, jealousy, pride.

Only you have control of your own actions
and reactions. You cannot manage other people’s
expectations. But, you can forgive and show empathy.
You can loyally show up and genuinely play your part.

The story you are living right now is lovable
because, by design, you are loved.
The story you are living right now is valuable
because you are inherently worth a million happy endings.
The story you are living right now is exciting
because there’s no way to know
what will happen
in the next chapter.

The story you are living right now has purpose
because you are still living.

History is your story. 

Originally published in Objects Things Stuff: Messy Bits We Carry Around (Dark Thirty Poetry Publishing, 2025)

SDG