Treading Down the Journey of Life

Treading Down the Journey of Life I have trodden down the journey of life For lengthy decades and decades, Through verdant overgrown bushes And tall towering trees with shade; I have trodden through thick shrubs with thorns And grassy lanes fairly straight, Through steep slopes snaking with scorns And valleys whispering with winds; I have trodden through tough cliffs Overlaid with cactus and moss And slippery and rugged reefs When the waves had ebbed to a low; I have journeyed for days and days Through the chilly gales of winter, That imposed a bodily rest, And through the scorching sun of summer; I have travelled though lanes of the mind And scanned the rumblings of the self As far as time and resource I could find, As far as I could stretch myself; I have tried to link with the soul To be guided all day and night And to be duly enlightened By its light ever shining bright; I have tried to submit myself To the Supreme Almighty Lord To reap His blessings and mercy As far as I could best afford; The bodily pains I endure Seem to mean my zeal is not enough, And the wish of the Supreme Lord Is with myself to be more tough; The will of the Lord seems to be To test my faith and trust in Him And through frequent bodily pains To pitch me still closer to Him. Let me yield myself to His shrine, Serve Him from the depth of my heart, Ever chant hymns that are divine And from His tie never do part; Let me never question His Will Nor ever drop my faith in Him, But let Him guide my path uphill Until the end of my journey As He is the sole controller Of the universe and every soul And the undisputed master Of our destiny in this life, Whose every endeavour and deed Has a valid reason, indeed, Who has existed since eternity And will exist until infinity. Strand Premier No. 1196 Poetry Contest Sponsored by Brian Strand Written: 11 March 2023