On the Road With the Shepherd

ON THE ROAD WITH THE SHEPHERD

as I pass through a dark valley

behind me are yesterdays
I long for, but will never come again;
the road in front of me
stretches further than my reach;
today, the journey that awaits
is one I must take

I am not alone

after a sleepless night
the early morning air lays softly
like a cold compress on a tired soul;
the pre-dawn traffic, quieted,
hours driving alone
bring silence, stillness and peace

my soul is refreshed

on the far horizon is a sliver of daylight
between the dark earth below
and the storm clouds above,
causing me to remember
there is order in chaos,
safety in storms, and solace in trouble

the Lord is my Shepherd

2012-02-27
P. Wanken
*with a couple phrases borrowed from a friend

Written for Poetic Bloomings Prompt #44 – “Where the Rubber Meets the Road” (to write a “road” poem); and as an attempt to capture the drive I took in the early morning hours on June 10, 2010, to go to Arkansas for my dad’s funeral.