Clarity

At one time, things were clear to me. I saw everything. I knew everything. The future was before me like a rolling road. All I had to do was follow it, and the secrets of the universe would be mine.

So tell me, please, where did I go wrong? I don't remember taking a wrong turn anywhere, but I don't recognize this part of the road. For a while, I thought I was just in a low spot between two hills, and I'd find my bearings again once I reached a crest. But it's been too many years since I've been here, and the ground doesn't seem to be rising. I guess I'm lost.

Needless to say, I find this rather worrysome. Did I look at my map? Of course I did! But the trouble with maps, is, see, even if you know you want to be here, you have to know where you are to decide how to go there. And I never bothered to figure out where here was. After all, why bother? Just follow the road. Or follow your nose, as Toucan Sam is wont to say.

Let's see. I tried to walk in one direction for a while. Maybe I was real near the road, and if I walked for a bit, I could see it. But that didn't help. So there I was, standing in the middle of this place, not knowing exactly where I was going, not knowing where I was. It was all so easy once ... but where am I now?

For a time, I wondered if the road was just a dream. Perhaps I'd always been wandering in the wilderness here, and one night I had dreamed that I used to know where I was, that I used to have a road. But no ... surely the road must be out there, right? If the road isn't there, then how will I get to, um, wherever I'm going?

Finally I decided to sit down. After all, if you're lost, you sit and wait, and someone who isn't lost comes and finds you. That's how it's supposed to work. So I'm waiting for you. Where are you?