and I will learn to tread forward

the twisting, winding, twining godforsaken roads
the endless forked paths.  
through muddy thickets,
lush undergrowth,
and soggy marshes
I wander,
and I will learn to tread forward.

the dismal, interminable, harrowing roads
the treacherous pathways
that lead straight to death.
through unforgiving fog,
cheerless sunless mountains,
and on the footprint of war
I plod,
and I will learn to tread forward.

unearthly, obscure, eerie roads
the traumatic passageways
that bring memories of the walkways before.
through the eye's rainstorms,
shrill heinous screams,
and across the self-fought battlefields,
I limp,
and I will learn to tread forward.

I will always learn to tread forward.
-

Like the soles of our shoes
We slip and we slide
We tear and we rip
And we leave pieces behind

Like the tread on the bottom
We wear and we tear
We grate and grind
Until nothing is there

Let us turn time back
When our feet did not stumble
When our shoes stood firm
And the path did not fumble

Let us mend the tears
Let us replace the tread
And once again stride
With passion ahead