A Road To Follow

A Road To Follow


Mist-like, veils of time slowly lift
showing a path that seems to drift,
meandering as if by chance.
Life's map, once scribed in youthful hues,
now guides in ways I didn't choose.
I attend skyward in askance.
I knew my goal. I knew my way
yet somehow I have gone astray.
Another's hand or just mischance?

Do I follow or do I lead
as along the path I proceed
to some promised heavenly manse?
I won't bemoan, what e're my fate,
nor sing of my successes great.
Instead, I'll just enjoy the dance,
moving with purpose, not adrift,
thankful for the mapmaker's gift:
a road to guide through life's expanse.

An entry for the February round of "Poetic Traditions Poetry Contest " 
Prompt: Image (see cover art).
Line Limit: 50
Line Count: 18
Form: Nove Otto It has a basic construction of 9 lines, with 8 syllables per line. The rhyme pattern for the poem is aacbbcddc. For more than one stanza, or to create a 'chain', stanzas would be structured as: eecffcggc, hhciicjjc, etc...

askance - with disapproval, suspicion, or distrust.
manse - the dwelling of a landholder; mansion.