The Corridor

I have awakened, and found myself walking into the unknown corridors of life

Wandering, searching, seeking direction but finding nothing, nothing

I hold my lamp high, to light the way, but only so far its sphere of glow

Only short vistas open up as the flickering flame pierces the coal dark blackness

My ears hear every sound, acutely rising to hear what my eyes can not see

I ‘ve entered this not on my own, but still feeling hope and fear, anticipation and wonder

Where am I heading? I thought I knew, but all is changed, unknown, unsure

Still my lamp brings me comfort; it soothes my fear, of what or whom, I know not

My senses keen, with every step listening and staring deeply into the blank-ness

Why have I entered this maze I ask myself, what am I doing here?

I feel no signs of progress. All I see and hear and feel is the same as I go

Toward what I wonder, away from what I muze; why and whereto am I headed?

The cold feel of darkness chills my back as I move slowly, cautiously ahead

Following the light flickering from my lamp held high

A drip hits my brow, cold and shocking, looking up I wonder, from where?

Can I turn around and go back? Do I have enough fuel for my light?

Is backward closer than forward ? I wish I knew which way and how far

My shoes click the stone floor as I quicken my steps in rapid succession

Sounding like more than just myself as I rush forward, drawn by what, to what?

Have I done well here, have I lived right here, have I loved well here, have I ?

A warm and gentle whisp of sweet air cuts through the dark dank hallway

Lifting my senses, urging me to follow it closely. I am pulled to follow it

The flow of sweet wind quickens and my lamp’s flame flickers. It mustn’t go out.

I would be blind, lost, in the total darkness, insecure, lacking any hope

Shielding the flame I keep heading toward the breeze until, just then, a beam

A sliver of light like a pinhole in the sky lies ahead, a beacon to follow

The breeze, my lamp, oh no, I’ve lost the flame

I am now clothed tightly in the darkness But I still see the small light beam

Something, at least I can follow, I pray as I head as fast as I can

Trusting that my feet know where they will meet the floor in this darkness.

The walls and ceiling seem to have closed in on me, there is no up down, or side ways

Yet as I go on the beam grows brighter and is filling the tunnel with a warm golden glow

The tunnel is lit now so brightly ahead that I cover my eyes from the brightness

Yet still I am compelled to move toward it. And I am almost there it seems

“Check his blood pressure again” I hear in the distance, as a kind face appears to me

Hello there, well you were gone for a while, but you’re back, we thought we’d lost you.

AC013006