When upon a trodden road I walked,

My mind became restless with the day;

And wanting change, a different path I sought

Thinking to find a prettier way.

~

So I set my sights upon a hill-

Not far off, but somewhat afield,

And within my head I summoned the will

To discover what the peak might yield.

~

Through brambles, brush, and branches I trudged,

Simply relieved to try the better feat.

An off-road trail I gladly smudged

Toward some unknown, lofty retreat.

~

After many hours of quickened pace

Excitement grew within my chest,

For at this time I spotted the base

Of the hill I was determined to best.

~

Faster yet, I pushed myself through,

Upon the hill my vision now stiff;

But because I did not expand my view-

I failed to see the great cliff.

~

After tumbling quick and landing below,

I could not comprehend my fate:

For ruined was the trek with my poor soul in tow,

And on my back in a fallen state.

~

Bruised, broken, and torn apart,

I consumed every dole of fear-

And refused in spite to cry out “My God!”

As some delusive voice claimed He wouldn’t hear.

~

I laid there sobbing for all too long

Before I chose again to try,

That I might find where I belong

Amid His servants within the sky.

~

My heart returned to that trodden road

Where in pride I once turned away

The many walkers who with me strode,

Seeking a home where they could stay.

~

Desiring the same, I gathered my strength

And stood to find another trail.

Before me, a ravine of great length

Below a bluff I couldn’t scale.

~

I ambled along for many miles

Still suppressed by my defeat.

The lowly chasm brought fewer trials,

Yet higher ground I yearned to meet.

~

So as the sun slowly went down,

Toward that ledge I started to climb-

And finding soon I feared the ground,

I looked below and fell a second time.

~

Broken again, and without hope;

I looked up toward the night.

Bitterly I asked He help me cope,

But believing myself alone in plight.

~

Nevertheless, within hours the sun did rise,

Bleeding warm rays upon my hidden face.

Then shouting out, “I’ll earn my prize!”

I confronted the cliff’s embrace.

~

Upward I went, with mindful hold,

Rejecting the depth beneath;

Though halfway up, my doubts cajoled-

And I simply clung by gritted teeth.

~

I inquired why I was so harshly beaten

When my desire had only been to harder try;

Yet there I hung, my soured mind not ‘er to sweeten,

Imagining I would rather let go and die.

~

In a final attempt at petitioning aide,

I looked up with a humble appeal-

And soon quietly the spirit bade:

That I just hold on, a grip like steel.

~

I tried my best to keep my place

Halfway up, and halfway down.

As tears of agony burned on my face,

I imagined His thorny crown.

~

Weary, trounced, and close unstrung;

My patience weathered thin.

I said “not mine, but thine be done,”

Feeling my time was soon to end.

~

And at the moment I was sure

I could not bear it any longer,

It was with love that to me He said:

“I promise this will make you stronger.”

~

With tears of faith I looked beside

To see my Savior’s loving face.

Then to a rope I was gently tied,

And lifted up by His saving grace.

~

At the top we rested, He gave me drink-

Then sought that I might share

With the walkers whom I used to think

Would never be worth my care.

~

I went on my way with virtue restored,

Knowing exactly where to go.

No longer restless, no longer bored-

And never to look back upon my woe.

~

Soon-after on that blessed, trodden road,

I attained refuge for the soul.

And while helping others bear their load,

I found myself made whole.