They say the only way is up —
but could I possibly fly?
As if I were expected to lift myself on legs never taught to leave the ground.
A ladder is not enough.
Nor a plane.
Even a rocket can only reach so far.
It is spoken as though I am meant to reach for the stars —
as if anyone truly knows where they begin.
But I was so focused on going upward that I forgot where I already was.
That instead of flying I could walk.
Run.
Or simply sit and look above me without needing to arrive there.
Somewhere.
Am I not allowed to want other things?
To reach for the ocean, the fields, the mountains —
To reach for a home or person.
A life that expands not in length, but in horizons of width and depth.
Feb 6
Feb 6, 2026 at 10:54 AM UTC
They say the only way is up —
but could I possibly fly?
As if I were expected to lift myself on legs never taught to leave the ground.
A ladder is not enough.
Nor a plane.
Even a rocket can only reach so far.
It is spoken as though I am meant to reach for the stars —
as if anyone truly knows where they begin.
But I was so focused on going upward that I forgot where I already was.
That instead of flying I could walk.
Run.
Or simply sit and look above me without needing to arrive there.
Somewhere.
Am I not allowed to want other things?
To reach for the ocean, the fields, the mountains —
To reach for a home or person.
A life that expands not in length, but in horizons of width and depth.
A life can expand beyond what is expected if only we are truly brave.
