Through the gates

Through the gates I could see a distant image,
Of intrepid fear and unknown familiarity,
Tugging at my heart and sending a rhyme that rings pain,
Holding my flesh and detonating my soul.
Through the gates I could see a distant image,
Of silken hope and treacherous intent,
Searing my eyes and chilling my spine,
Barricading my breath and slurring my mouth.

All I could is grip my heart and hold a march,
Unworried of the image lit in future and the snare it fields.
All I want is to sing a tune and troop my soul towards purpose,
And take no notice of tarred nights and garish decoys.

Through the gates when I walk and when my eyes close,
Let the light from my path blind the image,
Let the blood worn thorns shout a scent of truth,
Let my nerves be tired and my nostrils be dusted with sweat,
Let me try more now so that when I walk through the gates,
Let me turn back and smile at the covered mile.