Imagine taking your canoe down to the edge
Of a fast-moving river. You get in and then
You begin paddling deliberately upstream.
Why on earth would you do that, though? It doesn’t seem
Like a healthy idea. Again and again,
People do it as if they’ve made a solemn pledge.

People do it because everybody does it.
We don’t want be lazy, and we have been trained
To believe that hard work and struggle are to be
Seen as virtuous qualities. Society
Is upstream oriented as if it’s ingrained
In our psyche. It can be of no benefit.

There’s nothing that you want that’s upstream anyway.
The rewards for a difficult life can’t be worth
Feeling absolute pleasure in every moment.
People learn how to get by with their discontent.
When it gets to be too much, then they’re giving birth
To a change in direction and a brand new day.

Everything that you want is downstream. Everything
That makes up the stream is what you’ve been putting there
Through your wanting a better life. Inspiration
Comes to you, and it helps you in getting things done.
Just let go of the oars and become more aware
Of your worthiness and your passion for living.