The Climb

I can feel the sun upon my back

My heart pounding from my exertions

Yet I climb on

_____________________

Further up the mountain I go

The pack of memories carried with me

Until I stop

_____________________

Gazing back from my vantage point

I have an eagle's eye view

Of paths taken

_____________________

The path there I would have chosen

But left to chase another dream

Meant to be

_____________________

I see that trail was a dead end

Thankfully I veered off track after all

To solid ground

_____________________

A path I took in confusion

That led to unparalleled knowledge

And newfound wisdom

_____________________

From here the paths are easily seen

Winding and meeting to form the crossed

Paths of my life

_____________________

Had I not taken that certain road there

I never would have come to that point just there

The road taken

_____________________

The trail of tears where in fear I fell

On the rocks of heartache and desperation

Led to a clearing

_____________________

The way is marked where I started again

A new path to follow that twisted and turned

Leading me on

_____________________

Were the paths my choosing or did they find me

All the intersections fate or of my own doing

To guide me home

_____________________

Each life trail mysteriously combined

Show a path well worn but crystal clear

From here

_____________________

Plainly I see now the paths I needed to take

Finding along each one that one thing

Part of the whole

_____________________

Looking back one last time at the winding trail

My life paths morph solid as pavement

Cause and effect

_____________________

Single stones make up a path short or long

Each step along the path leads to something

No map ever provided

_____________________

Strung all together the trail becomes clear

Each choice or turn leading to others further along

To form the route

_____________________

Adjusting the pack, now much lighter

Glancing up, several paths beckon

To climb higher

_____________________

No matter which one I select going on

I will break through clouds and be able to see

How far I've come


By akirchner