Where the Road Ends

Yesterday, as I was driving up to the intercom at Tim Hortons,I saw a man standing against a wall out of sight of the drive-thru window. He braved being caught as he leaned into an open window asking for money or food. I would have given him the meagre change I had with me, if he came to my window, but meagre is putting it lightly because I do not carry cash with me very often.

 I do not know what it is like to be homeless and, honestly, I hope that I will never have to. I imagined what it would be like but what I imagine probably would not even come close to the truth while I sit here in my comfortable home. How could I possibly really know?

Last night, at The River Bottom Writers, one of the word prompts was 'Where the Road Ends.' I thought of the man at Tim Hortans and wrote this poem. Keep writing!!!

Where the Road Ends

I do not fear the place where the road ends

As many of those around me do

I have walked this path with uncertainty

I have crawled down this road meek and true

I do not fear the place where the road ends

The destination unseen by me

I have heard that only through deaths embrace

One may pass there to live ever free

I do not fear the place where the road ends

Quaking against a wall black with mold

My palms outstretched up for a meagre coin

When, there, the wealth of warm hands enfold

I do not fear the place where the road ends

The upturned eyes here have not been kind

My tattered clothes crease noses with distain

There, robes scented with rose and gold lined

I do not fear the place where the road ends

 I face scraps discarded wastefully

Rodents gnawing keeping me company

There, a royal feast set out for me

I do not fear the place where the road ends

 Burdened eyes close against a stormy sky

Falling leaves no shield this bitter night

There, shielding feathers enwrap and fly

                                                                                                                                                                                 

I do not fear the place where the road ends

As so many around me have done

I breathe the last warm breath given to me

At Heaven’s gate to His arms I run