Along the Beaten Path

I close my eyes and feel the morning breeze on my face;
Soft like the touch of a rose petal against my skin,
Cool from the preceding October night.

I hear the rhythmic sound of my feet against the glistening pavement;
Like a heartbeat, steady and strong.
The sound of the crisp leaves beneath every footstep sings to me.

I feel what I've left behind me.
The heartbeat increases, louder and stronger.
The air is no longer soft nor cool, but harsh and cold.

The air on my face stings now, as I gain speed,
But I dare not open my eyes.
I just keep moving, never looking back.

I hear the sounds of children playing, dogs barking;
I hear the sound of lovers whispering sweet nothings to one another.
I take it all in with a deep breath.

I open my eyes and I see nothing before me;
Just an endless road, void of life.
I don't want to look back, in fear of what I'll find there.

I keep moving forward along the desolate road,
Hoping to find its end;
Hoping I won't have to turn around.

I've come a long way, and I know that I've been here before.
I look behind me and realize there was never anything there;
But now I see where I was running all along: I was coming home.