a map to get lost

by Andrew Furst

start where you are.

the money your pocket will take you as far as you need to go.

take a bus, or a plane, or a car.

hitch a ride, or walk as far as you can.

when you arrive,

get to the nearest holy place.

ask someone there, where they were

when they first found god.

go there.

ask god “what next?”

wait as long as you need to get the answer.

at the same time,

start a family, a career,

start a poem, or a book.

get your work done.

treat your family well.

confide in those dear to you about the map.

make changes.

avoid people who want to sell you theirs.

if age or infirmity tells you that you can’t wait any longer,

sell everything you ever bought for yourself.

use the money to go east.

go until you can go no further.

face west and pray with the sunset.

face north and offer gratitude,

face east and feel the warm rays of the sun heat your old bones.

go home.

read your poems.

read your book.

if god shows up

don’t, for a second, think you are not lost.

Andrew Furst is a poet, artist, author, photographer, musician, and a technologist.  His poetry has appeared in Sandy River Review, Backchannels Journal, Moria, and Superpresent Magazine, amongst others. His art has been featured in the Emerson Review and Mud Season Review. More about Andrew at www.andrewfurst.net