by Gwen Edwards

Created on: August 16, 2009

The Desert Of Despair

On our life's journey we find many paths along our way

Each person choosing their own

Some are at first easily followed and some are not

The path that at first is easy becomes difficult and tests one character

And the one that began with great difficulty in turn becomes easy, a reward for one's perseverance

However, no matter the path much to be learned, if one pays attention

Through our experience these difficulties teach humility, patience and compassion

This wisdom being the most important lesson in life

Along my path I have found much to challenge me, as it should be

but just when I thought I earned my reward, my path leading me to the gates of paradise,

I awoke from my dream, and I came face to face with a terrifying reality

The world around me was not as I perceived, it it was all an illusion

I became lost with no path to follow, no guide to lead me

I had forgotten myself

What I saw was a world I could not comprehend

Laying before me was a vast trackless desert

The sun beat down mercilessly upon my exposed soul

Which way was I to go? How would I ever find my way?

I was lost, truly lost in a desert of despair

I looked within and my heart told me and that I must go on

To find away through this reality

So step, by step I traversed the steep sandy dunes, one step forward and sliding two back

At times I felt as if it was hopeless, my fears, my despair burning within me like the blazing sun that burned my skin

Thirst like I had never known overwhelmed me

All I knew though is I must move ever onward

Eventually I came to place where I felt all was lost I could go no farther

All my strength gone, my thirst relentless, I prayed to be free of my agony, my despair

and just at the moment when I feared all was lost

I saw it

Only a few more steps away lay an oasis

An oasis of hope

I could feel the cool of it's shade and smell the sweetness of it's water

I had been saved

I quenched my thirst with the cool water from the hope of it's springs and refreshed by the sacred water

I knew then I could go on, I would go on

I would find a way

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