Commitment

Start a journey with one foot upon the soil
Which is soft to tender soles, 
And walk a mile, or two.
The road becomes like gravel, and then the sand
Sears the feet with blazing heat.
How one walks that road, and knows at the end of it
Are riches and honor. A thousand times
One throws themself down upon the road
Crying, "Not another step!"
Yet, a breeze blows past the cheek
And again one stands, and walks.

Thou walkest because thou ought to.
Commit thyself to the path.
To wander backward is foolish;
Or to take another path would lose oneself upon the way.
So, walk until thy heart beats like a drum
And walk until every muscle aches.

I walk, because I have chosen my path
And know one day I shall find my oasis.

Neifert, B. K.. My Collected Writings. Kindle Direct, (C)2021. pp. 401.