A Path

A Path

An uncharted path
hid-den beneath
pristine white snow
—a blanket spread
—a quilt of dazzling snowflakes
     knitted without a needle or thread.

Many paths that we walk in life
we never intentionally
set out to traverse.

Many paths
were invitations
we may not have accepted
YET—the way we had to find and discover
while knee deep in the path’s center.

Stepping with a silent anticipation
—the snow rises above the ankle
—the next step sinks in
     and powder gathers to the hips.

The wind howls
releasing speckles of frosty drops
clinging to eye lashes.
Branches click then clack together
seeming to laugh aloud 
at the site.

Proceeding, more slowly 
every day steps taken for granted
—now gliding, slipping, stumbling
across this path
a satiny sheet of white.

Glazing forward
—a visible pattern
    etched between tree trunks.

Was this 
unmarked
path chosen?

Does it matter?

The beauty of the landscape
even with its 
unspoken perils
invites the walker
to press onward.

The snow 
begins to fall
and once again
the path unseen.

Yet,  for the walker
—an invitation
to begin

AGAIN