Choices

Stones tossed high sweetly scatter Like leaves or children running; A scene inside random Failings of gravity unbound; Each stone in turn enfolds the secret Spot that calls to wary watchers all;

In flight they seem to mark A million possibilities spread Like quilts of arrows without bows The ground small mercies gives Yet holds each newborn’s hand And awaits the sounding bell.

Each choice a gleam of inner light To see the way not taken; Still darker nights foresee A saddened dawn; The awful truth A blank-faced phantom; With tender kiss unlearn The last goodbye.

How will you find your way Through paths both seen And shrouded lead Not to final places found; No sirens beckon there; Yet never doubt First sound the call So loud and sighted clear The walk unfolds so near.

The harder path concedes the great Yet tempts the rest to know That choice avoids the simple path And bows to life full lived.