Two Paths...

The path that I like to wander on

Is a rural lane in the trees,

It’s a pleasant walk, and I tend to talk

To myself, just shooting the breeze.

Then it comes to a wood, and it parts in two

The main path tends to the right,

And heads up ‘til, just over the hill

It’s bathed in a pure sunlight.

 

And there stands a mansion in plain stucco

With columns that hold up a porch,

And each of the windows send out a beam

As of someone, holding a torch,

A woman dressed plainly in white comes out,

Invites me to come in for tea,

Then sometimes I do, and sometimes I don’t,

But we spend our time pleasantly.

 

We sit in a kitchen that’s tiled in white

And the sunlight beams through the door,

She sometimes reads to me from a book,

And asks what I’m looking for.

I tell her I’m totally lost, and then

Confusion’s writ over my face,

So she makes the sign of the saviour’s cross,

And blesses me with her grace.

 

The other path veers off to the left,

Is narrow and mean through the trees,

It slopes on down to a valley with grass

Though a turn in the path deceives.

For hidden there in the undergrowth

Is a cottage in shadow, and grim,

Where a gypsy girl with an evil smile

Beckons for me to come in.

 

And sometimes I do, and sometimes I don’t,

She isn’t offering tea,

She dances and whirls in the kitchen there,

And sometimes, sits on my knee.

She places my hand on her silken thigh,

And asks what I’m looking for,

I tell her I’m totally lost, and then

I struggle on out of her door.

 

A poet once said that he took the path,

The one less travelled by,

I’ve tried them both, and I still go back

To the ones both low, and high.

For my soul is soothed by the woman in white,

She lifts me up to the heights,

But the gypsy girl puts my mind in a whirl

And she sates my darker nights.

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[ANTO]

"And sometimes I do, and sometimes I don’t," - excellent fulcrum David - first class!
A story, a poem, a fable, a lifes journal all squeezed into one delightfully rhyming write - I know which path I prefer (but Im not saying heh heh)
Everything in moderation eh David?

[Avinash]

This is a wonderful write David. Little deviation from story telling format. However it aptly highlights the dilemma of every man who had ever walked on earth. We always have to struggle between virtue and pleasure and seems like we keep on juggling between the two poles. However I wish we could of that caring lady and gypsy girl both in the same woman. I guess I am asking for too much now ;)

[R Smith]

sounds remarkably like the battle between soul and ego, as the fight for supremacy in this material world is hard fought for some of us, a superb poem David, your words are a light in this world of darkness, more great poetry my friend :)

[Einstein Noodle]

and so go the lost :)) perhaps until ones legs give out and the starting place seems just fine for tea and a whirling head both .. so enjoyed this adventure Mr. Paget! a marvelous walk in the wood!
E.

[Valentine]

Sweet and innocent and saintly, or the evil smile and the dancing style that beckons you to seek more hidden fruit. Human nature seems to want what exists on both paths. Valentine

[Barbz]

I find a bit of tenderness in this lovely tale, the thoughts that cross your mind, as you wander down that trail. The sun will shine for you, that mansion on the hill, the vision all in white,
Takes heed of fears you spill. Leaving, takes you down to that twist that's on the road , bringing back to darker times and seeds you might have sown. There is no need to wonder, for time has sealed your fate. But both trails call your name as sure as time will cease to wait..........Barbz

[Marie]

Well, shades of Robert Frost. He's found paths that lead to the best of both worlds.

[MomzillaNC]

Everyone wants that sainted companion and, at the same time desires fulfillment of our very human urges. This is a great commentary on our double-sided natures, without being heavy handed or judgmental.