At the Crossroads

The path unwinds, a dusty thread,

Splitting the plains where shadows spread.

One way, a sunbaked, barren land,

Whispers of comfort, grains of sand.

The other path, a verdant call,

Through tangled woods, where shadows fall.

Uncertain whispers on the breeze,

Promises whispered 'neath the trees.

I stand, a traveler, worn and frayed,

By journeys long, and choices made.

The setting sun paints streaks of gold,

Time's hourglass, its sands unfold.

The path of ease, a familiar friend,

Where comfort beckons with open hand.

No tangled roots to trip my stride,

Just steady progress, side by side.

But whispers echo from the green,

Of hidden wonders, yet unseen.

Adventure's song, a siren's call,

Beckons me past the weathered wall.

The barren path, a map I know,

Where footsteps fall on ground below.

A steady rhythm, tried and true,

But holds no secrets, veiled and new.

The forest path, a tangled maze,

May lead to sunlit, vibrant days.

Or thorns may pierce, and darkness creep,

Leaving me lost, where shadows sleep.

Fear paints a picture, stark and grim,

Of twisted branches, cold and dim.

But hope whispers, a gentle plea,

Of vibrant blooms for eyes to see.

The sun descends, a fiery eye,

Casting long shadows as I sigh.

The choice before me, sharp and clear,

Comfort's embrace, or paths unknown, my dear.

I close my eyes, and breathe it all,

The dust-kissed path, the forest's call.

The weight of years, the wisdom gained,

A tapestry of choices, joy and pain.

Then, with a breath that clears the fog,

A quiet strength within me jogs.

The path of ease, it may be kind,

But growth requires a different kind.

I turn to face the emerald gate,

Where shadows dance, and mysteries wait.

The path ahead, a verdant quest,

A chance to bloom, to be my best.

Though fear may linger, doubts may rise,

The fire within my spirit flies.

For at the crossroads, I stand tall,

Ready to face the unknown's call.

The journey onward, green and grand,

A chance to write upon the sand.

With heart ablaze, I take the lead,

The forest path, where dreams are seeded.