#0013

There were three men while you were away

Who walked my path for a time,

Though wisdom I would not attribute to all

of those three that shared my climb.

The first of these three men lightened my load

So I grew careless; forgetting my map,

merely following him up the mountainside

Naive, I foresaw no mishap.

On trecherous rocks, I tripped and fell,

And I seemed to have lost my guide,

I crawled forward, blinded by pain,

And the mists reached far and wide.

My eyes filled with terror, I fumbled around,

To find his outstretched hand,

But I was deserted; left quite alone,

I could no longer stand.

In my weakness, the next man appeared,

Walking out of the black,

I feebly shouted, "Help me sir,

I've fallen and lost my pack."

As I made out his figure I realised

He could not help me through

He had no kit, no first aid,

and I was quite beaten and blue.

He was not steady on his legs,

I was knocked further off mine,

And looking down the cliff-edge I knew

I was over the safety line.

I cried for help and a voice came to me,

The voice that I knew from my youth,

It had always spoken quietly and

I knew it would tell me the truth.

I struggled and floundered to get to my feet

All my efforts seemed to be vain

But I took courage from hearing the call

From one who could ease all my pain.

I felt that someone was drawing near

and I reached out and touched a hand

And my map was handed back to me

As I began to understand.

The deep, black mists were clearing

As my journey I once again braved,

And the third man was a hiker, like me,

Who the hand in the mist had saved.

We discussed as we walked together

The troubles we had faced

His destination was the same as mine,

And for a time each other we paced.

The road seemed much more clearcut now,

and after one of the bends

Our maps showed us taking different paths

So we departed as good friends.

I often think about that walk

As into the foothills I climb,

And think about the people who

Have walked with me for a time.

I consider why I spent so long

Making such slow progress

I hope that those lost in the mist with me

Have all moved onto success.

We all have an epic journey

That we must undertake

and though companions may disappoint us,

There is one who will never forsake.

There were three men, mere mortals

By whom the path was trod,

But the thing that brought me to success

Was learning to walk with God.