how quickly did it happen?

standing out from the crowd again

you always wanted to be different, special

but not quite like this

because if you're single you aren't childless

and if you're childless you aren't single

and mostly you aren't either

and without a default meaning of life

with which to be tethered

you're left wondering how exactly

career plus hobbies plus exercise plus--

add up to anything resembling purpose

or love or belonging

add up to anything besides the passing of time

waiting for life to be more

than getting up the next day

and filling it with more

passing of time