Pilgrim’s progress

Just put one foot
in front of the other
leave all fancy plans
(angelic fantasies
beatific ambitions
enlightenment dreams)
behind

And pray daily
that sore twinge
on the bottom of your big toe
doesn’t slip and slide into a blister

Trust the path before you
and if you believe in God
trust God
otherwise
trust your legs

Trust the path
trust your legs
trust your feet
trust your toes
no fancy pants
no fancy plans

One pilgrim foot in front of the other
and then the other one in front of that

And when you ease into your wayfarer’s bed
at the end of another well-trod day
let your salty smelly body softly open and sing
its tired and silent hymns of gratitude
its inexhaustible songs of praise