The Path to SuccessA Poem by Church Following a vivid dream, I wrote this many years ago. In an attempt to make sense of it. My mom was strong and diligent To raise a wayward son But a man raised with no father Is a challenge that can’t be won.
The boy is forced to clear a path That the father should have paved To keep the boy on the path to success And to avoid all the caves.
The successful path was lost to me And I stumbled upon a marsh A great shadow rose from beneath Its voice strong and harsh
It said. “Look to the East, at the fading light, and tell me what you see.” “The golden path of success,” I said. “That is now lost to me.”
“Your comrades walk that path of light,” “Their obstacles and challenges will make them strong.” “But no matter how you overcome what’s in this marsh,” “You will always end up wrong.”
I pressed on toward the path of light But was no closer to it at all The shadow said, “You haven’t found your way, you’ve just stumbled upon a wall.”
As I looked before me, A wall extended to the sky. But it moved and breathed and moaned, Because it was made of men who were still alive.
“Speak to the keeper,” the shadow said. “If you wish to make it through.” “I can make it over without help,” I said. “Then the next face on the wall will be you.”
The keeper was a faceless man, His body made of rot. “How can I clear this wall?” I asked For it was the path of light I sought.
“Look to the East,” the keeper growled. “And tell me what you see.” “The golden path of success,” I said. “That is now lost to me.”
The keeper grabbed my head, And granted me a dream. I saw the people on the path of gold, Facing a wall just like me.
“Through friendship and teamwork,” the keeper said. “They’ll help each other across.” “But for you my lonely outcast,” “You’ll be stuck here, forever lost.”
In desperation I climbed, Reaching for the top Halfway up the wall, I came to a sudden stop.
From the wall came a rotting hand, Firmly gripping my leg “Why should you make it over?” It asked “When I could cast you down instead.”
“If you add me to the wall,” I said “It will only get ever higher.” “And the privileged on the path of gold,” “Will be what the world admires.”
The rotting hand released me, But instead I took its hand. “I’ll come back for you in time,” I said “With their crown atop my head.”
When I reached the top of the wall It spoke to me and said, “The only way to free us,” “Is with one of their privileged heads.”
Several arms did grab me And held me over the wall. “Spill the blood on the path of gold,” they said. “Or you will surely fall.”
I looked down in fear, At the dark and gloomy marsh. A great shadow appeared below, It’s voice strong and harsh.
“Stay true to your virtues, if you dare,” “And see a quick demise.” “Or take the oath of the fallen,” “And in darkness you shall rise.”
I looked to the East at the fading light And several things I did see. The golden path of success, was one, Which was now lost to me.
The privileged on the path of Light, Had quickly cleared their wall. It was half the size of his, Yet they were praised the greatest of all.
“No one will remember your name,” The shadow spoke below. “The privileged must learn from this darkened marsh,” “That if they reap they must surely sow.”
Hanging over the wall, I had a choice of life or death. Embrace the darkness and live, Or fall to my last breath.
The choice I made that day, Will follow me for life. All I can say for certain, Is that today, I walk that path of Light.. © 2015 ChurchAuthor's Note
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6 Reviews  Last Updated on May 16, 2015 Author
ChurchTacoma, WAAboutHello I am an unpublished author looking to get feedback on some of my work by a likeminded, honest community. If you review mine, I will return the gesture. I'm in the Army otherwise. Any.. more..Writing
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