Tunnel

Up ahead was the tunnel, Dark, unyielding. Hollow like the cavity That ate away at his heart. They said he was prepared; Ready, for battle, Though deep inside, He knew he was not. Yet the voice still pushed him forward: No breaks, only pressure. Steady, but he felt It get stronger each day. Or, was he weaker? Slowly eroding away. Stones on the ocean floor, Thrown around by the force. Blinded, he felt, As he walked into the darkness. The path quickly fading Leaving him lost, alone. Should he be fine Like they said? He was different: Strange, but What if it was them Who needed to change? To let up, cut slack, Relax the force. By now, he was swallowed; Shrouded in black, Yet somehow the clouds Had cleared from his mind. The tunnel was cold, and in That way it shook him. So closing his eyes, He turned back around. Numbly, he went, down The path he'd come in on, Realizing now, what he Should have for a while. There was no point In torturing himself Just because others Said it was so. If he didn't have the desire To go down that road, Nobody could force him And make him suffer. As he approached the exit, He squinted in the brightness, The sunlight that hit him Filling the cavity in his heart.