The Next Step

Hope and trust will get me far,

But will I ever see,

An end to roads that, many, are,

Set right there at my feet?

Soon it's time to step again,

I fear my foot will fall,

Upon a path so soiled and,

The worst choice of them all,

How can I make my pathway right,

When I know not the rocks,

That rest out far beyond my sight,

Along with doors all locked?

I wonder will that fear,

That stings my heart so young,

Be the thing that keeps me here,

Away from victory won?

I see them all that I can take,

But which one will be mine?

Which will be the life I make,

Which one will turn out fine?

For now, I know not where I'll go,

This step feels like a fight,

Must I beat down the rising foe,

Before I see what's right?

I wonder now just what's against,

Me as I stand here small,

What will soon come take me hence,

And make me rise up tall?

Must I take a leap of faith,

Into the fire bright,

Before my heart will cease to race,

And calm beneath the night?

I am pushed to fly out far,

But  feel a cage of fear,

Will I rise up to the bar,

Or wilt, remaining here?

I look down, scared, upon the soles,

That sit beneath me still,

They look so small, for I've seen those...

Those shoes that I must fill,

I wish to have the strength within,

To calm my frantic heart,

To just decide to take right then,

A single step to start,

And as I'd go, I'd hold the air,

Within my lungs so tight,

And I'd know, to make it there,

That it was my own fight,

My choice, then would guide me,

Would push me ever on,

Would make the soles beneath,

Stride toward victory won.