Odometer of the Soul

How many miles can an optimist walk

On the rugged paths of a callous world

Before the spirit becomes browbeaten?

Before the glass-half-full perception

Springs a leak and reaches depletion?

Before the psyche that was a beacon

Breaks, and night becomes every season?

Before the soul is callused and weakened

Like the soles of your feet so hardened?

Perhaps there is no answer or reason

as to the mileage an optimist can walk.

Hats off to the journeyers who still walk.