A Long Hike to Orion.

I dropped my keys behind my bed the other day and couldn't find them in time for work, resulting in my demise.

It reminded me of my younger days when I sometimes walked everywhere without a destination. Do you know how people will just go for a drive? I'd hike through two towns and back just for shits and giggles. Thinking about it now fills me with a deep longing for those days. It's cathartic. No music, just my thoughts, and a paved sidewalk. Only sometimes. There's a patch between Sanford and Winter Springs that didn't have the privilege of a well-paved sidewalk, but that didn't stop me. Some stretches were bathed in darkness, sandwiched by thick forests that hinted at nefarious creatures stalking me. Mostly likely frogs.

    During that period of my solo adventure across towns, the constellations filled my head with stories of magic and ether dreams. Orion, oh the mighty Orion, it's been too long since I've given him my attention and focus. I hope he's doing well up there. I should tell him a secret: he will never kill that terrible bull. Sorry, bud.

    The distance never bothered me then. I wish I knew why. I'd cross the entire town in Hamilton, Ohio, just to see what my sister was up to and return. Younger Jason gave "no fucks". Contemplating it more, I feel it may have to do with how I was raised: like a puppy in a cage, never allowed to dream, never allowed to grow and explore. Hmm. As I typed that, I knew that to be true. Fuck my mom. Rot in hell. 

Anyway, I had to walk to work. The thick humidity gripped me in a bear hug as I forced these old thirty-four-year-old bones to cross the street. 

Walking sucks now.