I was once faced with a crossroads.
One path lead to a beautiful meadow of flowers.
It led to a land where the sun shined bright,
It led to a land where heavy fruit dangled from trees
And sparkling rivers splashed along gaily.
The path to this paradise was wide and smooth- no brambles or thorns to block my way.
But I took the other road.
The other road led to the dark, jagged cliffs,
Steep, dangerous mountains where vicous beasts dwelled, ready to rip my body apart.
The other road led to the unknown, a dark place, where my survival was uncertain and every step was a challenge.
But as I hiked up those unrelenting slopes, my heart weak and my eyes hazy,
My lips cracked and my hands numb,
As I lay, freezing, under the cold December moon,
As I swam across those deep, treacherous rivers, my body weak and my mind foggy,
I realized,
It’s always darkest before the dawn.
And so I kept on.
As the dim, hazy winter sun rose,
I smiled, for the future was uncertain.
Perhaps these somber mountains would swallow me, and I would never see the light of day again.
But, perhaps, I might find an even greater paradise on the other side.
That chance kept me going,
Even in the darkest of times.
And hope was not lost.