A Road To The End

I once went on a journey,

Along a winding road,

With many forks and turnings,

On my back, a heavy load.

The route wasn’t always clear,

I tried to do my best,

To beat all the obstacles,

To the end, where I could rest.

When I began this journey,

My parents guided me,

Showed me how to crawl and walk,

Climb and run and leap.

I walked steadily through childhood,

With ease and excitement,

But often I ran into fear,

Hurt and disappointment.

Other children bullied me,

Stabbing me with words,

Breaking me with violence,

My self-esteem made worse.

No-one came to rescue me,

No-one made it cease,

Pain welled up inside of me,

And through my skin began to seep.

Wounded through pursuing years,

A shield built as I went,

Pushing away hurt and pain,

And halting the torment.

Sometimes people walked with me,

Kept me company,

Helped me work out where to go,

And led me to safety.

Sometimes people walked with me,

Pretending that they cared,

But actually they hurt me more,

Left me vulnerable and scared.

Other times I walked alone,

I didn’t really mind,

I enjoyed the peace and quiet,

And solitude I’d find.

I walked through anxiety,

Met grief and sadness on my way,

Then hurt and pain and anger,

Caught up with me one day.

I tried to use my self-made shield,

But it was worn and thin,

It didn’t last for very long,

All emotion flooded in.

The road became more callous,

Steep hills and wild terrain,

I tried to build a shelter,

Cover from wind and rain.

I clambered down the mountain road,

Jumped over walls and ditches,

Until I could not feel my feet,

My sides so sore from stitches.

When I reached the bottom,

My body tired and strained,

I could go no further,

My motivation drained.

The path rose up ahead of me,

Abrupt and overwhelming,

Engulfed by thorns and thick grey clouds,

Dark, ruthless and foreboding.

I crumpled down into a heap,

Pathetic, hopeless, lost.

Slowly sinking to the earth,

My breath turning to frost.

I wanted to give up my life,

And end this misery,

Put a stop to all the pain,

And fear inside of me.

I cried out one final time,

“Please someone, rescue me”,

And unlike at my journey’s start,

They came and set me free.

A hand reached down into the pit,

Gripped tight and lifted me,

Showed me all the roads ahead,

And at last, I could see.

There were many ways ahead,

That I could choose to go,

But now I’ve seen the end of them,

Where they lead I know.

Whichever way I choose now,

Wherever I may roam,

I know one thing for certain,

At the end, I will be home.