Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The Path (revised- reflection)

I see the path in front of me
The dirt that's on the trail
Two legs in front, two legs behind
Escorts that will not fail

I do not need a compass here
Staying on the path's a breeze
With one in front and one behind
I carry on with ease

And yet my life is not like this
A simple path with guides
I do not see the destinations-
Have trail-mates on each side

Instead of being on a trail
I'm on the open sea
No simple path that goes one way
No waymarks I can see

Endless choices for the ship
How am I to find North?
For God, He does not mark the waves
And I can't see the shore

How do the gulls know where to fly?
The stars know when to shine?
How does the salt know it's the sea's?
Oh what course will be mine?

There are no crossroads for the choice
Yet I cannot stand still
For life, like sea is constant movement
There's drift in place of will

My shaking hands are tired
How do I make this choice?
Looking weary at vast expanse
I hear the Master's voice

For He is sure where I have question
His strong hands will not fail
They hold the marks that saved my ship
The hands that shape the trail

Trust the Lord with all thy heart
Lean not unto thine own
Give God the helm and trust the wind
And He will lead you home

4 comments:

kaitlyn.e said...

Great poem! I love your comparison of your hiking trail to the trail of life, and that to a voyage at sea. it could have been chaotic with all of those comparisons, but you made it flow seamlessly.

Cynthia Hallen said...

I really like this verse. I especially like the lines that say:

"How do the gulls know where to fly?
The stars know when to shine?
How does the salt know it's the sea's?
Oh what course will be mine?"

You made me think. What is the meter? I have to go back to count it.

Jake and Ashley Schroeder said...

Ashley this is amazing! I loved the last 2 stanzas - they are so powerful! You are a gifted poet (something I covet :-) I definitely think you could turn this into a longer piece if you used personal experiences and quotes. However, I like it the way it is :-)

kaitlyn.e said...

It's even prettier the second time