The Plan

THE PLAN

I said "hello" to yesterday, stood at the threshold of the Past,

And peeking through its boarded door the shadows came to life.

Dark, misty cloud of memories hang heavy in the air,

I saw myself in all the gloom uncertain and bereft.

Obscured in all that smoky mass the Past beckoning on,

To listen to the song of dreams once anchored to my soul.

The Past, its haggard countenance kindly urging me still,

"Look up, I have another face and Future is its name!"

Then came across some faces known with names beyond recall

I stared through time remembering old pain, old love, old song.

I shifted through the memories and found its hidden depth,

The labyrinth of bygone hopes crushed cruelly beneath.

But once again that voice rang sure though feeble it might seem,

I heard once more, through all the years, the Past whispered my name.

"The path is lonely, long and rough but Future will redeem,

Forget me not, I teach with grief and sorrow laced with pain."

"For I am life's unfailing hand on lessons all must learn,

I am the Past, I'll compensate for forlorn paths unseen.

Taskmaster of your destiny, I'll push and prod you on,

But you must build from sacrifice, each piece your stepping stone."

I sought in vain to understand the price I had to bear.

Defiantly, I railed at life for recompense unfair.

In my shortsighted, simple mind I failed to understand,

That life forges iron to steel through fire of sacrifice.

From the anvil of afflictions once hated, once despised,

I saw the mighty hand of Him whose lessons lift and guide.

And then I knew the yesterdays, the Past from which I ran,

Is my today I face with strength for God showed me The Plan!