Reynolds aims to write with “raw honesty.” He acknowledges his unfamiliarity with the process of making dreams come true: “I don’t know NOTHING / ABOUT THAT” (9). He has not been able to achieve his own “tangible” dreams yet. He articulates his inner turmoil, speaking from the “front line and the fault line” (13), portraying a life filled with uncertainties. He describes his personal approach to life, splitting between moments of “his cries / and his smiles” (14), reflecting on the failed expectations and the unpredictability of achieving dreams. He also reflects on his past expectations of achieving success by certain ages and expresses the disappointment of not meeting those milestones at “ALMOST TWENTY-EIGHT” (16).

He ponders the various factors people attribute to success—skill, will, luck, money, race, and faith—ultimately stating that nobody truly knows what success depends on, but everyone agrees that “IT DEPENDS” on something. He is disappointed in books for failing to provide comfort or solutions on challenging journeys. He contemplates burning the books for light along the “LONG AND OFTEN DARK ROAD” (25). Reynolds reflects that many others have faced a similar struggle and frustration. Lastly, he emphasizes that it is not about achieving success; he again admits to knowing “nothing about that” journey (34).