A Second Chance

And then in a flash, it was all over.
A life that was once complete, now lay wasted.
With seemingly no purpose to the endless dance
Of life arcane rituals, he looked back at the crested
hills he'd fallen down, and screamed, "Give me a second chance!"

Ahead lay miles of lush green desolation
A winding cow path scaled heights and plunged valleys.
He shrunk back, desperate to turn back the clock
To when he had erred, and all the strength rallied
went in vain, as he fell to destiny's mock.

The terrain that had been friend, protector
had lost trust in his once reassuring step, confident.
And as he tried to regain footing, faltered,
the ground crumbled beneath, unsure, diffident
Thus did one mistake sacrifice trust at the altar.

He tasted his own sweat and blood
Once reassuring sounds now carried foreboding
The wind whispered threats in his ear
Fear began eating away at the strength he was hoarding.
He trudged, eyes downcast, unable to bear nature's leer.

And then in a flash, it was all over.
Or so he thought as he stumbled, fell.
Three days passed and he awoke in a bed.
His wounds bandaged, heard a church bell.
Unseen friends had raised him from the dead.

He hobbled painfully toward the oaken door,
And saw the mountain, a torrent of memories.
Framing the image forever with one last glance
He prepared to confront life and his vagaries
And forever felt grateful for the second chance.