Instead

She dreamed of backpacking Hemingway's path Pamplona, Key West, Cojimar, School Creek Reading & writing every mile along the way She took 8 community college courses Instead She envisioned skin & sweat & passion Two bodies intertwined and afire Nothing existing beyond themselves She accepted an accountant's proposal Instead She wanted to save a piece of the world One sick and deprived soul at a time Nothing so pure as a woman with a cause She took a job selling condos instead She still always kept two books in her purse On Writing Well and Slaughterhouse Five Trying to finish a rough outline of her novel But she got pregnant Instead Refocused and her life reprioritized Intent on raising a gentleman & scholar Museums, culture, sport and charm She started drinking at noon Instead She met a man who lived her unlived life Bitter, jaded, diseased, and unloved Who longed for the things she had But she envied him Instead.