Long Winding Path

By Udayakumar DS

As I opened my eyes, I stood barefoot.

Along a narrow winding path leading into the shady woods

Ahead lies a world of uncertainties, unseen opportunities

Never can I see what remains at its farthest end?

Alone you are, says the creepy hush and gusty wind

No one ahead or behind, no one to lift, may I fall on the end

Expect not a friendly forecast, nor assistance do I ever need

Distance and dangers, turns and twists, warnings of the shadowy dark

Mine the first encounter, no one shall foresee, no one shall ever ask

Weary my legs, ruffled my hair, a challenge for my life ahead

Teary my eyes, muffled my heartbeat, Retreat! Retreat! Rumbled in my head

A blissful thought hushed the chaos!

Why is there a path where nothing seems to last?

Wilderness as it is, may not be lonely, deserted vast

Someone or something walked here in the past

Crushing the green grass, moulding the ground, paving the footpath

Gazillion times better, at least a direction it showed at last!

Feeling good that I tread the route travelled by the brotherhood

Let’s share your fate, O brother, my guide, my torch bearer.

What I have is only my life, nothing more, nothing else to lose

Why then fear? Why suffer? Why keep ruminating the future’s bewildering noose?

Nothing’s stronger that I can’t bear; Just march along! March along! March along!

‘n’ number of paths, appear and disappear, ‘n’ number of possibilities

I shall embark only one forever, shall ever remain a vulnerability

Shan’t matter, shan’t affect my resolve, my longanimity whatever happens

My will, my resoluteness will motor me along, Long! Long! and Long!

Let’s not look back; let’s not regret it. Step up, step out, and let’s walk along!

My action

Took my first step on this journey, huffing, puffing, and humming

Brimming with joyful tears, and beaming with mindless courage, I marched alone,

Insouciantly treading the shadowy woods, singing the war cry aloud

Alala! Alala! You shan’t be defeated; You shan’t be subdued,

Alala! Alala! I won’t be subdued; I won’t be defeated

The woods reverberated in my thunderous voice

Mindful wanderer striding ahead, conquering every foot of ground

Every tramp in my walk strengthened the path; forever shall it last

A lost brother looking at the long winding path as I stood in near past

Shall know someone walked ahead and shall take him home, at last!

Alala! Alala! I shall walk, leaving the trees to vibrate in my voice

Alala! Alala! I shall walk, leaving, at last, a treasure for someone lost.

By Udayakumar DS