True North

The reflections of innocence on a sunny day

True North

 

Step lightly--oh! Step lightly Youth

Do not stand too long in the glow

Of summer’s afternoons

Lest you be flung headlong

Into winter’s chill

 

Step lightly--oh! Step lightly Youth

Do not tarry on your way to prayer

Or linger too long on the windswept hill

Staring star-eyed at the sunset

Will profit you nothing

 

Step lightly and with haste

Make your way in light and shadow

Set your course for destiny

And turn your face toward Providence

Go--you must not sleep here

In the wake of Yesterday

 

Close your eyes to the lure of the past

And take care when you awaken

The immeasurable days of Youth and Beauty

Are so easily dreamed away

 

It is no trouble to take your wings

And fit them to an unburdened heart

To catch the rising winds of chance and fortune

And all the possibilities yet to meet you

Go-and quickly now

 

Stretch out your hands to Faith and Truth

There is nothing here yet to hold you back

Step lightly on the path before you

And don’t look back

 

-Zoe Richardson

Author's Note

Thanks for reading and commenting!

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Oh, a reflection on the days of innocence and wonder. When everything appeared to be an adventure. You took me back to summer vacations and how we spent time in the meadows and by the canals. What fun we had, not a care in the world. . What happened? Sadly we grew up and became influenced by external affairs. Thank you Zoe for the opportunity to return firca little while. A lovely poem.

Chris

[Zoe Richardson]

I am so glad this brought good memories! I wrote it while watching my children play, thinking of all the possibility their lives held, and what I would say if I thought they would understand.

[Weeping willow]

Wonderfully expressed, loved this one ;-}

[Zoe Richardson]

Thank you! It's so nice of you to express your thoughts. They are much appreciated.

[LostSage]

beautiful just beautiful
my friend from 6th grade was here
just last week
we talked about how life sucks
when we were younger
we were too busy
running around to notice
have a great day Zoe✨💐

[Zoe Richardson]

I've said it before and I will say it again. Youth is wasted on the young!

[LostSage]

when i was younger..... the old guys at work would point their fingers at me and say...."if I knew then what I know now things would be a whole lot different " .....when I was in the hospital I told my sad girlfriend breakup story to a nurse.....she simply said..."stay away from girls!".....funny world huh?.....have a great day!

[Zoe Richardson]

The nurse was right. We're nothing but trouble!

[LostSage]

I ain't dumb.....I have learned.....each pretty girl comes with a big box of troubles..... moth to the flame....have a nice day Zoe🙄

[Zoe Richardson]

Baggage. Its called baggage. That's why we need huge closets. To unpack all that emotional stuff we carry around.