Beattitudes

One dark and stormy night, when half my life lay behind me ?I wandered from the straight and narrow path too far. And took my heart for a ship’s compass All through the darkness, I followed no course, no path but my own. ? With only unlimited darkness before me Above that darkness, there was no guiding star. ? That had once guided kings and shepherd alike. ? When you are born blind only the darkness can see your way. While death’s cold hands pluck at one's terrors and fears.? Gladly the dreads I felt are too dire to retell, The hopeless, pathless, lightless times forgotten, I turn my tale to that which next befell, When the true dawn opened and the dark night was no longer my guide. Paraphrased from the opening to Dante's Inferno.