At the Parting of the Ways

At the Parting of the Ways

By dusty road, that oft I walked, do not stand,

Arching bridge, now crossed, no longer supports.

I am gone away – there is no way back for me.

On golden sands, gazing out to sea, do not stand,

Sailing ship, on far distant shore, now lies beached.

I am gone away – there is no way back for me.

On lonely hill, thinking of me, do not stand,

No roads, paths, or byways, lead me to thee.

I am gone away – there is no way back for me.

Remember me; forget you, I shall not,

For by your side, I will always be,

As together, to slippery edge of doom, we walk.

I am gone away – fair lady with beautiful soul,

Farewell to thee, our ways now do part.

It’s a work in progress, an experiment, part of 366. I have already changed it since first published. It may change again. The original version is below. Now you ask why do I keep changing it? I say in answer – what is a pentiment? More of my ambiguity! Why should I answer thee? Between that which lies below, and that which sits above, is a vast complexity that lies beyond your machine-like way of seeing an eternity. Then you ask: what is 366? Wait and see, I say by way of return.

Do not stand by dusty road that oft I walked,

For arching bridge, I destroyed as I went,

There is no way back for me – I am gone.

Do not stand on golden sands, gazing out to sea,

For my ship now lies burnt, on far distant shore,

There is no way back for me – I am gone.

Do not stand on lonely hill, thinking of me,

For no roads, paths, or byways lead me to thee,

There is no way back for me – I am gone.

Do not forget me; know that I shall never forget you,

And know too I shall always be, by your side, as together,

We walk, slowly, silently, to slippery edge of doom.

Farewell fair lady with the beautiful soul – I am gone.