Comfortable and Precarious

She caught her breath one day

and realized the life she had expected –

one of progress and accomplishment –

was not the one encircling her.

She moved gently forward,

hands outstretched

patting the uncertainties

like a woman moving into

a darkened bedroom.

The space felt, at once,

comfortable and precarious.

She made a promise then

to kindle a light if she could

or forgive herself  if she couldn't

and to explore her surroundings

    its soft soothings and

    its sharp surprises

until she recognized it

as her own.