Visio

When I close my eyes

the bitter shadow from the back of my mind

steps forward and clenches my throat in its fist.

Plundering my vitality

as I ponder what could have been.

The map of the path before me 

is the pattern of the past

etched upon the road ahead

by rivulets of fallen tears

and the mad scratchings of rage

and as I dwell upon familiar fears, 

I know I am condemned 

to have them realized again.

So I keep them open

and step off the path

into the beautiful unknown.