The path that wends its way before us
up the mountain side,
The stones that stub and where we stumble,
The pebbles that we kick because we can,
the rocks we climb on
Just to see more heights rise wearily ahead,
All stand to tell us We the Metaphor
Will rule your life.
The branch that blocks our path
but lets us dip below and laugh,
The log that lies but gives us foothold,
The twig we spurn to haul us
as we pant and sweat
Just to take us further from the valley stream
All cackle dryly, We the Metaphor
Direct your life.
The snake that slithers at our feet
a glimpse of gleaming black,
The moth that flutters to our faces,
The fox that fixes us then turns
and hunts the trembling mouse
Just to speed our hearts and rush our faltering feet
All whisper loudly, We the Metaphor
Are you, our life.
Linda Hepner
23 August 98
Linda Hepner
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-trail/
