Dare.

Step out
onto the concrete pavement,
with its tiny cracks figured about

as vines

beneath your boring, but proper shoes.
This is not Ireland
nor Africa,

not Japan

where you long to be at this moment.
This is your place in the world
and though you can escape it

for a time,

inevitability brings you back.
If you were only a daring gypsy,
you would have cleaned out your closet

and your life

a week ago
and floated towards the exciting unknown
and beyond

independence's doorstep.

Ah. If only you were that brave
and free-spirited.
But you let yourself

be shackled

onto tradition and culture,
onto the dregs of your roots that people call "family",
which you'd rather call

"forced history".

You know that if you take a moment to stand on the pavement
and feel the people and time go by,
your feet and conviction would take you

to where you long to be.

With a little money and big dreams,
both fanatical and highly plausible,
you can survive out there.

Better.

You will be happier.
So,
will you now

step out?