Fate Is Just Another Word

A Poem

Photo by Anastasiya Lobanovskaya: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-carrying-flowers-closeup-photo-1035688/

she didn’t believe in fate —
or that’s what she told herself
in the ways of hopeless romantics
divorced from the pursuit of love

flowers were only flowers,
and chocolate was just filler
for days better left forgotten

she didn’t see signs
from rainbows
or lost pennies
on the ground

she didn’t trace constellations
with the hope that they were divining
her future with their arcs and paths

who needed destiny
when you paved it
all on your own?

someone might say she was just running
from one too many bruises of the heart —
but she kept her head held high every time

what threads could fate weave
if it had the chance?

but, no, there weren’t words
for those kinds of musings

best to leave them on the shelf
where they belonged