Paths

I look at paths
that have been lain
to wait for me to arrive.
Their essence beckons
me
to come.
Disguised as leaf strewn
naturally occurring byways,
I know something lies beneath,
within,
perpetrating a plan
to lure me to,
into,
beyond
benevolence and malevolence
intertwining within an immanence
invisible to sight,
but clearly,
adamantly,
undeniably
present.
Compelled and repelled
yielding with halting footfalls,
inching forward,
reversing resisted.
How far does this lead me?
Is there an ending
or only repetitious beginnings?
And then a crossroad is revealed
around the bend.
Indecision,
quandary,
dampened curiosity
stops me in my tracks.
This way?
That way?
Or home?
What is the role
of Trust?
“Let’s go back.
I can’t walk anymore “.
Decides my fate.
For now.
But then, is that
a new path?

                                                                                    From Susan Ceely Philips