Following the Arc

     Following the Arc 

The moment I realized  

that the arc of my story 

was a forward movement, 

I was equally astonished 

to rediscover the script, 

written in advance 

of my birth, now nearly 

seventy years ago. 

The narrative disclosed 

each of the agreements 

that I had long ago signed. 

As the plot developed 

there was always notice 

given that no matter how 

many backward steps taken, 

I have been following the arc, 

a forward movement toward 

a certain ending, if not happy 

then at least well-lived,

with a final sigh of knowing, 

I did my best.

©Paul Goldman July 10, 2022

[Illustration by Catherine Madden]