The Seminal Decision

A young man stood at the edge of a life-changing decision, 
Knowing not which direction was the better one for him. 
Not gifted with any helpful, foreshadowing prescience 
He recalled his mother’s words, “Always do what is right,” 
But, he thought, one does not always see a clear path, 
And how does one evaluate beforehand the aftermath 
Of unforeseen circumstances, of inevitable looming change? 
He wondered if he might return after many years; then, 
Regret that he had not chosen another course in life. 
Some choices offer themselves once, it seems, then vanish 
Into yesterday’s murky, hidden, lost forever, passages 
Where what might have been is no longer a possibility. 

A young man stood at the edge of a life-changing decision. 
Thoughtfully, he opened his scant storehouse of knowledge. 
He made the choice he thought, in the now, for the best, 
Set his path resolutely forward and later had few regrets 
Looked back upon that day with all its hopes and dreams 
The day he set a course for future success and satisfaction.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Wolf Avatar
April 15, 2021 at 7:51 PM
Taking that Leap of Faith is what matters. Once taken, it can be taken again, and again. Once spurned, ... let's not go there. Much food for thought here. Thank you! :) gw
Hankins Avatar
April 15, 2021 at 7:55 PM
Thank you, GW. Yeah, but it's that "seminal" decision, like when I knew I was going to take the road toward the ministry instead of teaching. In retirement I have often wondered if I made the right decision...but that's a long story!
Mohammed  Avatar
April 14, 2021 at 9:13 PM
This resonates deeply with me. Sometimes we have to confidently take that leap of faith. Thank you for this well-written piece. Cheer! :)
Hankins Avatar
April 14, 2021 at 9:31 PM
You are very welcome, Ansar. Thanks for coming by and reading my poem. Thanks for your fine comment.
Austin Avatar
April 13, 2021 at 2:32 PM
Reminds me of Frost's "The Road Not Taken," but with a more assuredly happy ending. Thanks for sharing!
Hankins Avatar
April 13, 2021 at 5:06 PM
Thanks, Kathleen. I probably should have cited Frost because, after I read it, I realized there is a clear allusion to his poem. I appreciated your pointing that out, too.
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