Perseverance (The Journey out of Conflict)

The paths that evade regret
are long,
winding
and constantly circling back on themselves.

The improvised map is creased with sweat,
blood stained
and useless.

The days are dim,
the night is black,
and rolling fogs of uncertainty cloud all guiding landmarks.

Each fork in the road becomes a fearful choice

between stumbling tear-blind
into confrontational thorns,

or panicked evasive sprinting
amongst dagger-laced booby-traps.

The bitter taste of fairy tale endings
lingering toxic on sneering lips

and stinging papercut reminders
of how much is yet to heal.

It is surely a more manageable jaunt
wearing the iron cloak of contempt
and the lead boots of resentment

but they become a trap not easily fled from.

So on and on,
round the dizzying curves and doublebacks of denial,
chasing the distant luring glow of liberation
that always turns out to be

headlights before the trainwreck.

For beyond each new horizon
that torments with whispers
of an exquisite renaissance

lies just
another
nightmare.