I’m all grown up, I declared to Life
She smiled, and I thought I heard her chuckle.
I am, I told her. Believe it or not.
With head held high, I continued my path.
She walked with me, holding my hand.
Here we are, she said approaching a fork.
What road will you choose, my grown up child?
Which one will you take to be your guide?
I looked at each road, and back at Life.
She reassured, I’ll be with you no matter what
you choose.
I agonized as I compared the two.
One looked bumpy, the other rocky.
One looked steep, the other sloping.
You’re all grown up, she reminded me.
You can decide, and it will be alright.
I chose one, and we walked together hands held
tight.
My eyes were fixed on the other path
I couldn’t stop thinking, had I chosen the
right one?
And then it happened, I stumbled, and fell flat
on my face.
With my face bruised and black, I felt like a
disgrace.
Why didn’t you hold my hand, I asked angrily?
How could you not prevent my fall?
You are grown up, she said. Think about the
reason behind your fall.
I dusted myself, and continued tall.
The other road seemed so breezy.
Maybe if I had chosen it, it would have been
easy.
I cursed myself for making the wrong choice.
You were wrong , kept echoing my voice.
I passed huge obstacles in my way.
I fell, got hurt, but was determined not to
stray.
And yet I simply couldn’t help but steal
A glance at the path that I didn’t take..
What if, What if, the words echoed
Could it have been a piece of cake?
Pray tell me! I begged to Life, for my sake.
She smiled that smile which bugged me by now
And we continued walking in tow
As time went by I grew stronger, and confident
The road seemed gentler, and I felt different.
In the distance, I could see my destination..
She squeezed my hand and gave me a nudge.
Exhausted and proud I took the final step.
And as I looked back at the path with a sense
of pride
Life unveiled to me where the other path led…
The one that I didn’t choose…
The one that had filled me with so much
regret..
Now I understood why she had chuckled
When I had declared that I was all grown up..
No time to stand and wait she said..
And led to me another fork..
What road will you choose, my grown up child?
Which one will you take to be your guide?
