The Journey
I
It all began so many years ago,
his journey down the narrow winding path,
and where it was to lead just fate could know
as it would take him through life’s aftermath.
The journey long and hard that he would face,
through life’s unending laughter and its tears,
and all the many dreams that he would chase,
while navigating through life’s hopes and fears.
And yet his expectations were so high
at every juncture all along the trail;
the ever optimist within stood by
while using all the tools to his avail.
He always felt that he had been so blessed,
anticipating nothing but the best.
II
Anticipating nothing but the best
as he set out upon this grueling trek;
he looked upon the journey as a quest;
a medal to be hung around his neck.
At first the path was open and quite clear;
the sun shone brightly, lighting up the way.
He started walking forward without fear
along the virgin trail without delay.
The path was wide, with flowers it was lined,
a bright array as far as eyes could see,
and gentle azure skies brought peace of mind
as birds above were singing in the tree.
But far off in the distance looming wide,
his path, with wall of trees, would soon collide.
III
His path, with wall of trees, would soon collide,
and clouds began to form above his head;
his trail becoming narrow, and beside
the path the lovely flowers were all dead.
Into a forest now the trail did lead
with trees so tall that made him feel quite small;
he suddenly found out that he must heed
the bumps along his path lest he might fall.
His thoughts became his own along the way;
a solitude he learned now to enjoy,
but in his mind his thoughts start to betray
as loneliness within began its ploy.
The journey was becoming quite intense
as forest came to seem so very dense.
IV
As forest came to seem so very dense
he realized that he was on his own;
for first time since his journey did commence
he looked around and felt so all alone.
With creatures of the woods he formed a bond;
together they would travel on this trail
in front of them, yet seeing not beyond
the trees ahead, path hidden by wood’s veil.
Through forest dark they slowly forged ahead
along the winding path while dodging stones;
on lichen they were careful not to tread;
traversing calmly through this trek’s unknowns.
He came upon a clearing in the trees;
a fork in winding path led to unease.
V
A fork in winding path led to unease
as sweet young bird had joined him by his side;
they chose the path that seemed the most to please
continuing the journey unified.
His dauntless obligations he fulfilled,
commitments that he made while ‘tending school.
When joined by two more birds the pair was thrilled
along the path through forest’s vestibule.
Continuing the trail they did proceed
through forest green while seeking what they dreamed;
forever moving forward without heed,
yet hopeful journey wasn’t what it seemed.
To greener fields the bird decreed to fly
as three moved slowly on but wondered why.
VI
As three moved slowly on but wondered why,
for them, the journey had to be this way;
their winding path now seemed to magnify
the darkness of the forest day by day.
But soon a fox he met along the trail
accompanied the trio on their quest;
this vixen did his loneliness curtail
with promises of hope that she expressed.
The two young birds soon took off on their own
thus leaving fox and him along the road
to make their way through forest all alone,
and with each other share life’s heavy load.
Soon two young kits were walking in between
along the winding path through forest green.
VII
Along the winding path through forest green
it seems the trees are suddenly less dense,
and blue sky up above can now be seen;
this tiring journey feeling less intense.
My daunting path now once again seems clear
with fewer stumbling blocks along the way;
a light in distant forest now appears
this poet’s trek goes on without delay.
I’ve always had high hopes through life’s extremes,
been truly blessed, and always tried to please;
and after all these years of chasing dreams
I’m finally hearing whispers in the breeze.
And as this journey through my life proceeds
I’m always searching, seeking where it leads.
September 7, 2019
As you know by now from the concluding sonnet, this Crown of Sonnets
is the story of my journey through life. Each sonnet represents a different
period of my life. I hope you enjoyed this story.
Copyright © John Gondolf | Year Posted 2019
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