deference

onward, onward, onward
we must go
we carry our bundles,
our burdens, our bags
in bindles, in boxes,
in bunches of rags
we clutch them close to us
we hope we don't drop
something significant
we know we can't stop
to go back to retrieve
but onward must go
and some race
towards a finish line
no one can see
some lag and drag
lingering as long as they can
like children in a candy shop
eyes round and indecisive
but still
choices must be made for
onward, onward we must go
in deference to ones
who went before
who carved out the paths
we now traverse
we shut our mouths
"it could be worse"
so silently we march
with impedimenta
tailored to each
some through happy valleys
some over treacherous passes
but all roads lead
to the same sea in the end
there, where we set ourselves down
and in the ocean of time, we all drown