Standing at the Turning of the Road

Standing at the Turning of the Road

Yong Wan Choi 12.12.11

People and beasts alike come out of a body and live,
and on the way back to dust
the road is winding, rough, and far
yet each in turn meets unknown others who become neighbors
and going together, they share brief laughter and long tears

Though the thrill of meeting and the dread of parting follow,
among them is a perfect match
and together they make a life and start yet another life

That new journey is another world, and so now
I come to wonder why I came here and why I must leave
and before we part, for all who travel alongside
I want to leave behind something new and precious

As I smooth the given road step by step
shall I find hope in the trash thrown away along the road behind,
open a door I did not see yesterday, run out together,
and go in search of the light that turns suffering into happiness