Passage

Hard walking, this,

as among the rolly stones along the beach —

worse, for sharp edges reach to snag,

and mire beneath them

is often quick, and my foot

sinks down unexpectedly,

and no step can be sure

But I will keep walking,

I will not stop for 

all the cluttered claims of pain

or the searing cold of sudden doubt

of things I’d held so sure

This much is clear —

The act of moving is itself a strength,

and little joys still shine

from unexpected places,

and the investment over many years

of what I work to carry —

attention, faith, discipline —

will pull me through.

©Wendy Mulhern

January 8, 2014