Not Knowing

It would be simple, wouldn't it, if someone would define our lives for us?
Easier to just read the instructions and follow the plan to a well-built future.
Security and certainty sing siren songs loud in our ears.
If I could just find the right way to do it, everything would be okay we tell ourselves.
So we follow a creed, or delve into a dogma, or create a rule, or pass a new law.
And when things seem to be going okay - or when we are frightened they are not -
We presume to pass our knowledge and wisdom on to someone else struggling alongside.
Because if I don't have an answer for you - how can I have an answer for me?

"How should I be?" we ask ourselves, and each other.
And in our arrogance, we expect and present a list of answers.
How much better, how much wiser to simply say to one another
"I don't know".
I don't know who you should be.
I don't know what you should do.
I don't know where you should go - or how you should get there.
I don't know if you should dance, or write, or paint.
I don't know if you should study or work or rest.
I don't know if you should travel or stay at home.
I don't know if you should laugh or cry, curse or praise, wail or shout for joy.
I don't know how you should feel.
I don't know if you should forgive or if you should exact justice.
I don't know if you should love or leave.
I don't know...

And in the uncertainty of my not knowing for you, I might find the answer for me.