I Step Forward.

Although the path may be far from our feet, we must be steadfast in order to find it.

The chills will never leave me.
Paths have blown across my face
with the wind, ever changing,
never staying.

I search around me,
frantically looking for the way through.
Seeing the true eightfold path,
I step on a crack.
It swallows me whole.

Will I ever escape this?
I doubt that I can,
for he will not let me.
His skeleton grin beckons.
I must join him in his hollow existence.

Perhaps he wants his substance back,
that which I stole.
But can what is rightfully mine be considered
stolen?

His wiry arms pin me down,
as his hollow mouth seeks to swallow me whole.
I squirm and refuse to go gently,
fighting the urge to give in,
just once more.

I scream my negative,
convincing both him and me:
It is over,
he can attempt it no more.

I am me,
and will always be.

Again, I stand at the path,
the eight folds before me.
I know where to step now,
I simply must take those steps.

I step forward.
It becomes easier.
I step forward.
The path rises to meet my steps.