For those who come after, don’t follow in my footsteps.
My steps will lead you only to the path I followed.
A path of uncertain footsteps, hemmed in by the guardrails of convention.
A path filled with the boulders of societal expectations,
And the sharp, broken shards of glass walls it pushed through.
Pushed from behind with expectations of those, like you, who might come after.
A path filled with detours across thistled streams onto roads even less traveled.
A path drenched with the patter of fear and beauty, hope and regret, longing and belonging,
And joy.
For those who come after, please don’t follow in my footsteps.
My steps will lead you only to the path I followed.
Step off the path.
Pull back the brambles.
There. See?
Your path awaits.