Threshold

Gate do you lead out or enclose?

climb steps through the overgrown green

close in for winter in the underworld

hide behind bars wrought and curved

like a rusty shepherds crook

then cross the threshold to who knows where

a return to joy, trust the rock hewn pathway

a final look and then turn your back on loss

Gate do you enclose or lead out?

across the fields to the river’s torrent

stride to the estuary panorama

always wondering about  the opposite shore

 somewhere over there west of the river

 south of the channel south of land fall

and twenty degrees west joy will be found

forge ahead travel forward with purpose

to distant horizons hot and dry

wander like a gypsy-o swaying to the future

 trusting the uncertain pathway