The Next Step
This poem likes to dance to my playlist, Keep on Moving.
The Next Step
It can be so hard to start doing something
if you don't know where it's going to take you
or if you're doing it the right way.
The poet Rumi said,
"As you start to walk on the way,
the way appears."
But it might be that you can only see the next step.
The way may appear slowly
as if you're walking through mist.
As if you're walking along a path in the dark
with only the moonlight to guide you.
And that moonlight is all you need.
Follow where it points you
as it illuminates a smooth stone
or reflects off ripples of water.
In the quiet, you can hear
the cicadas, the tree frogs
the calm voice inside yourself.
It can find the way.
It can remember.
It's probably better not to have a map
of the whole journey
and see where it leads.
The mist and darkness protect you
from your fears and doubts.
If you could see the thick forest ahead of you
or the mountaintop beyond
you might turn back now.
But the next step is easy.