walking through the woods i came across a man siting on a tree.
in tattered clothes and dirty beard he was a sight to see.
i said hey old timer what brings you down this way.
he looked up at me with eyes ancient and wise like dark liquid pools.
i could not look away his gaze was so intence.
he gestured with one frail hand for me to take a seat
and with a voice as if spoken from the woods them selves
he says stay and rest your weary feet...
i could not have done other wise had i wanted and so i sat.
findeing my voice i said "i can only stay for a short while".
a moment of your time is all i need my boy he said with a smile.
which way do you travel north, south, east, west, do you know which path is best.
i do not know what road ill take but i journey some where that's no mistake.
be careful young man for a journey such as this is long and fraught with peril and risk.
how will you find your way should you get lost?
how could i get lost with no destination.ill take what ever road at my inclination.
"yes and at a very high cost".
well then old man what would you suggest. while i sit here on your tree and rest?
you need direction my son. so i give you these. a compass to show you the way
as you travel the long hard day. a candle for light as you traverse the pitch black night and
finally bread and wine to feed the hunger you feel.
he wrapped them up in an old sack cloth and placed it in my hand. in a hurry he replied
" i must be off".
and don't forget you hold the way home in your hand.
i looked down at the parcel feeling all of a sudden famished and when i looked up the
old man had vanished
with a hunger i could not understand i opened the cloth that sat in my hand
and there where the contents had been sat a note atop a book that said
"the answers lie with in"
and in side this book called the bible a man named Jesus said i could be free from all sin.

a poem
by
Brian Edward kirchman