Estimating the figures of the space around me, I realize I have not traveled far...

Estimating the figures of the space around me
I realize I have not traveled far
Estimating the distance from my stance to my goals
I am terrified
The trail is ridden with dark shadows
Not evil, just mysterious
I am made immobile by the possibility of a shard of glass
Or even a crack
And more difficult still to accept is my inability to recognize the shape of the gate through which I am to pass
Its outline constantly morphing
But I cannot stay where I am
For the ground is forever breaking apart
Faces becoming unfamiliar, their smiles, revealing their hidden priorities
Disaster behind me, mystery ahead
Without fear, I must walk • .

I had to take the step, as staying in place is always harmful. I had to move forward, no matter what had taken place in the past. And as I struggled with anxiety, taking any step forward felt daunting. As, although we may plan, no one knows what will happen in the future. We may think to ourselves, "What if?" — imagining all sorts of horrible things taking place in the direction we must go. But that 'what if' also applies to fortunate circumstances — sure, tragic and disappointing things can happen; but inspiring and beautiful occurences are also likely to happen in that direction. But, nonetheless, one must to walk. •

Poem from Four Years in Chrysalis
© Aisha Tariqa Abdul Haqq Publishing
Follow @AishaTariqa for more original poetry • .