The Gate

The guardian of the road ahead

The gate stands wide and strong

In the distance shines the sun

The way is straight not long

Should I pass and go beyond?

The sign says,

TO THOSE WHO ENTER

“You must leave some luggage at the gate before you venture.

Please understand, be quite clear,

The road ahead, though straight,

May suddenly fade and capsize if you carry too much weight.

So leave all unnecessary baggage at the gate as you go through,

Test the road quite cautiously.

And be careful what you do.'

Oh dear what shall I leave behind?

What valuables will I lose?

What do I take out? What shall I miss?

Please - will you help me chose?

'Certainly not.'

The keeper said,

'Your decisions I cannot make.

What you leave and what you keep

The responsibility is yours to take.

Why did you come to this gate?

You have sojourned in your land

For many years, why leave it

If it had all been so grand?

Why would you have taken

The long journey to this gate? 

 Even though, I have to say,

You have waited till quite late.

The way through leads to happiness

But, you may not want to travel

As that road may not appeal, or

Your bag you will not unravel.

The gate will open only once,

At this hour of the day.

Please decide before too late,

Or it will close and shut will stay.'

All had been hidden from his sight,

He was not been allowed to see

What his future would be like.

He had to trust how it would be.

The traveller sorted all his bags,

The old rubbish, out he threw.

He got through the gate, just in time.

Was amazed as then he knew.

 Poem is CopyrightACoatesworth2010

The poem is from the book 'From Darkness to Light' by Dr Audrey Coatesworth - ( now also as an ebook) see website