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Let me tell you a story …

Many pilgrims had passed this way before him
but had rarely stopped before trudging up the muddy path to the top of the hill 
and then disappearing out of sight forever.

But he lingered at this shady spot at the bottom of the dip in the track.

The old stone tablet in the wall was overgrown with moss and ivy.
Rain droplets hung at the tip of every ivy leaf.
Catching the daylight, they twinkled like some distant constellation.

He pulled back the ivy, scraped off the moss to reveal the ancient writing.

By chance or maybe by some hidden force, 
this place still belonged to the pilgrim’s way.

But the pseudo-pilgrims had no time to waste as celebrity beckoned. 
Eyes fixed on the hill’s summit 
they were oblivious of both this place and its significance.

The inscription read

If you look too hard you will not see
If you talk too much you will not hear
If you think too much you will not learn
If you walk too fast you will not arrive
If you are true to yourself you will be content
You will unlock the secret door

He reflected on what he had read but not too deeply and then smiled. 
He had another 150 miles to walk which he could do in six long, arduous days 
but now it would take him ten days of contemplation.

The climb up the hill was different from what had gone before. 
It was exhilarating for the wonders of nature were all around to experience and enjoy. 
Every step was stimulating.

The inscription filled his mind. 
Slowly but surely the door opened. 
The days passed and he realised the pilgrimage was of the mind not of the body. 
Walking gave him space and time. 
Ten days later he was uplifted and at peace 
having stepped through the door of enlightenment 
once secret and now so obvious.

He smiled at the pseudo-pilgrims there with him at the end. 
He felt sadness for theirs was a superficial achievement 
judged against each other with a materialistic prize.

They had been on a walk but not a pilgrimage. 
He gave them one last glance, 
turned and strolled into life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


25 April 2022

First Place Contest Name: Form N - Narrative - New Poems 
Sponsor: Constance La France
Chosen Theme: #1 Journey
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