Altered Trajectory

the new lines are drawn
but the old never fully erased
just faintly visible by day
but at night, alone, they shine
like beacons of roads untaken
destinies unfulfilled

where would we be now
if we’d not made this adjustment
if we hadn’t followed those rules
set by others that altered our trajectories
challenged our potentials

it is possible we’d still be right here
arrived by an alternate route
journeying marginally different ways
destined to reach the same potential
filled space

do we need to know?
what if is a long game
with an unchanged outcome?
are we better spending our days
looking forward and enjoying the past?
those tracks are only visible in the dark
together we reclaim the night