I wrote this poem in 1996. In November or December, I had come down with a sore throat, so I missed some work. That was bad enough because my job involved teaching dance to elderly people, and I loved it. But when I phoned my boss to say I was well enough to come back, she said, “Don’t bother. We found somebody else.”

That same day, I began my job hunt. I kept trying to find another job. Something. Anything. I kept looking and reaching out to any positions available. All to no avail. There was nothing. I had to accept each defeat and keep moving forward. But I never gave up through all the disappointments and hardship. Somehow, someway, I stayed positive and kept a smile on my face, through all the things that cause pain and hardship.

It took until the following September before I could start a new position, and it included teaching dance, public speaking, and sitting on the organization’s board. Remember, if Karen can do it, you can do it too.

The Road Back Home

You say
I have the road map
To the tunnel
For which
I’ve searched
And looked.

I see signs,
I’ve used directions,
All, leading me nowhere
Or,
To dead ends
Signifying nothing

I called for help,
For directions,
For someone’s guidance,
To be lead
To the road
Back home!

You can order my poetry collection, including this poem, here: Reflections of My Heart.

Original text ©2025 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved. Image by BayoCine via Wikimedia Commons.