The Pathless Path

The Pathless Path

Walker, there is no road.  You make the road by walking.
                                    - Antonio Machado


Sometimes I imagine
what comfort it would be
to follow an established 
spiritual path - 
the community, the rituals, 
the delineated practices.
But this has not been my way
(although I gather teachings
like picking precious pomegranates
off the Autumn tree).
The pathless path and I
chose each other long ago.

Sometimes I stumble as I go,
and my heart catches
with the fear of falling.
My attention then
rushes to my feet.
Yes, there are stones and
erupting tree roots here.
And, yes, my awareness
had meandered into
unconscious reverie.
So, I stop.
Breathe.
Take my next step
more carefully.
Look around at
this phenomenal world.

Envy of others is a poison
I have no wish to consume,
and it is foolish to think 
that others have no
trials and difficulties.
But as Machado says,
my feet and steps
make the path,
and the mystery and beauty
of the emerging landscape
are everything.
Look!  How the pine trees
rise to the heavens,
how the small flock of birds
wing their way west!