THE LANTERN: CEREMONY IN CHOICE

BY MANDA MOONLIGHT

Clinking chains bring awareness to my path.

I’ve been following

my feet as

they forge on.

Held captive by circumstances,

my every step

challenged

Silver lining the only light

in darkness.

Learning to survive.

Forgetting to embrace life.

Time drifts beyond reach,

I don’t want to miss

any more.

Caress the potential in growing

fulfill dreams

inhale moments.

Trust fall into my every step

on the journey

to awakening.

Close my eyes.

Breathe.

Take me back to the crossroads.

I want to choose for myself.

The ceremony in choice,

stolen by circumstance and events.

My noise is touching eternity.

Pain and joy hand in hand.

Why depend on the location of a silver lining,

when experience can be a friend?

Time is relative, and in a blink

I miss each off-ramp.

The spiral is never-ending

I take my second chance.

Caress the potential in growing,

fulfill dreams,

inhale moments.

Trust fall into my every step

on the journey

to awakening.

Close my eyes.

Repeat.

Take me back to the crossroads.

I want to choose for myself.

The ceremony in choice no longer

stolen by circumstance or events.

My noise is touching eternity.

I want the act of living to echo.

I see no need of silver linings.

Experience is now my friend.

Spiral toward the connection point.

Face the tide as it comes on strong.

The scent beyond lovely,

each day moves along.

Embrace the opportunity to grow.

See all there is to know.

I take another step

on the journey

to awakening.

Close my eyes.

Breathe.

Now at the crossroads,

and I choose me. | MM