Where It's At

WHERE IT’S AT

I’ll tell you where to find meaning

                   and purpose for your life.

Look inside yourself.

It’s right inside you.

Find it there or nowhere.

Not on that better job you worked so hard for

Not in that new car, promotion or new house.

Not there

Not in those women you conquered,

or men you’ve seduced,

the award you just received,

the paper you published

or the argument you won

Not there.

Not in that beer you are drinking,

plant you are smoking,

or pill that your doctor gave you

to help you cope.

Not in that new relationship

Or the new project

that takes most of your time

Not there.

Not in that church you attend,

those beliefs you recite,

that philosophy you hold dear,

the sports team you are so fond of

or all those frantic errands you run

for the children

Not there.

Not in the new toy, dress, pair of shoes, diamond,

extra money, investment, stock, bond, inheritance,

or lottery ticket you just bought.

Not there.

Nope.

It’s not out there anywhere

And all that running, looking and trying

to find, do and be the one right thing

Wears a person down—

Maybe enough to slow down a bit

And be still just long enough to look inside yourself

And find the thing that you’re really looking for.