The Long Walk

A long hard winding path for both is seen ahead,
Tentative baby steps taken at the beginning,
Beaming smiles exchanged in light, joy and hope,
Sunshine glitters on the new path partners.

Strides gather pace and speed, hands link and clasp.
Fall into step, grow in confidence, too confident..
And oh!  A rock and then a stumble! A fall!
Clouds rumble overhead and spits cold wicked rain.

Strong hand clasps grazed ones, wipes away tears
Wordlessly relink and resume the journey, palms warm
Heads bowed, still linked but one slightly in front to protect
The weaker partner behind from the roaring winds

Another falter although this time of faith and belief,
this time the weaker is the stronger, provides support,
believes enough for both to walk on with renewed strength.
The clouds finally lift slightly, the last of the storm?

The hilly path is well journeyed and cracks now avoided
Trust in each others abilities to do the best for the other
An invisible golden rope snakes tightly from one to the other, 
Sun shines again and a new lightness in the step.  Fingers touch.