A poem: Tale of the 100 mile journey

The tale of the 100 mile journey

by Heather lake

Here we start a journey

we know not how it will end

bravely taking our first steps to

that twisting trail

we leave our safe havens

pushing our bodily ships to sail

we wind our way hearing

conversations and birds

the wind in the trees

the rustling leaves

the calls of the aid stations

and the care of volunteers

when our feet are planted

on the clay of the woods

we take a moment, rise up and

feel that bit of gift

of life under our feet,

all around us,

in the trees, the flowers, the hills

and creeks

when the rain falls we listen

to it pelt upon the trees

hearing the sigh of the wind

we are one with the breeze

feet carry us through the ebb and flow

our hearts beat as we boldly go

feeling the heat of the sun,

the cool of the rain

pressing on through doubt,

perhaps pain

But darkness comes and the moon glows

lights like tiny fireflies grow

dancing through the glades and hills

all quiet now as sun fades down

the forest dancing all around

flowers glow like little white lights

and everything around feels fey at night.

Pushing on we feel the dance

of life, of heartbeat, of love and chance

each person met greeted with love

praising each hard moment that we rise above

and then, like a wedding guest,

the sunrise comes

glowing and gleaming

a joyous sight

and we know we have finished the night

and to our friends we finish our fight

hugging them and feeling that gift of flight

when we can finally sit and know we did

the biggest thing we have ever done

and now we are all, every one of us, ONE.