I thought I knew the neighborhood I dwelled
within, when I endured that last divorce.
But after weeks alone, one day impelled
to take a different turn, I set my course
for north – turned left – and there before my feet
appeared a shaded path of textured ground,
leaf-bordered view, and air that tasted sweet,
a block away from home, till then unfound.

And now, a decade into this address,
transitioning from busyness to play,
I walked without a plan and didn’t guess
that turning left and climbing was the way
to urban wilderness and solitude,
and air so rich it animates my mood.