Chronicles of a Journeyman

Piercing arrows that travel through the soul

They tear through the outer lining of the heart

Striking nerves and breaking vessels

Spilling gallons of blood in their wake

Until they hit at the root of your being

Dismantling identity; querying personality

Raising questions of purpose and existence

 

For the patient, these arrows settle deep

Demanding answers to troubling questions

Challenging long-held assumptions

Inspiring meditation and thoughtfulness

Until a ray of light pierces the dark clouds

And clarity settles over murky waters

Dividing thoughts above from those beneath

 

For the foolish, these arrows incite a storm

Stirring up an armory of unsharpened arrows

Dispersed in blind and uncheckered rage

Shot without precision or clear direction

In arbitrary reaction to a sudden attack

They inflame wounds and worsen damages

To a fragile soul under external assault

 

Listen, my sons, and hold your lips.

Reinforce your heart and guard your thoughts

So that the thoughts you release to another

May do them good and bring them healing

Enriching your hearers, not offending them

So that you will lengthen your days

And bring good upon yourself while you live

 

Toyin Taiwo (c) 2024