The Journey Continues


Years pass as the two adventurers walk,
Each following separate trails.

For a short time they'd walked together
......sharing thoughts and promises
......of what could be.
Their hands and tongues often entwined
......as their bodies shared
......each other's hunger.
Time all too quickly passed.
Choices made carrying the travelers

......on different paths.

Occasionally, when the trails wound

......along the cliffs,
......the two would see each other across

......the precipice.
They smiled and spoke of the present
......avoiding talk of the mutual walk

......long ago.

One day, ahead, a point appears
......where the chasm walls narrow.
A small swinging bridge spans the gorge
......with room for only one to cross.
Lying at the foot of the bridge
......a widened area on the trail.
A perfect place for the sojourners to rest.

Beyond the bridge, the valley widens,
......separating, widening.
As far as the eye can see,

......no bridges appear,
......only two narrow paths

......with tributaries
......taking the two farther away.

Upon arriving,
......the aging traveler
......watches her approach.
Memories flood his senses.
Her face changed ever so slightly
......by the passing years.
Her blond hair blowing in the breeze,
......bleached further by the bright sun.

He hesitantly extends his hand,
......bidding her to cross one more time–
......to share for a few moments
......before the journeys continue.
His eyes tell her the story
......of his desires and wishes.

His lips softly speak the words,


Please my love, one more time,
......let us be together as one.
When we wake in the morning,
......we can continue our journeys.
But the road will be less hard
......knowing we have shared again
......a brief moment of love.

Her eyes meet his for only a moment,
......and she soundlessly walks on.

He watches her round the corner,

......barely able to see,
.....realizing the moment

......has forever passed.

Comments: The story of two star-crossed lovers. This poem is one of my favorites for it speaks beyond the traditional two lovers who knew each other well and chose to take separate paths. In a sense, it is the story of life and of opportunities taken and not taken, of people we allow into our lives and those we shut out. As one thinks back over the years, who hasn't on occasion asked the "What if…?" question. I know I have.
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