in the midst of the day
we stop, we listen, we wonder
how we should carry this thing
that deepens the prints
we leave behind our wandering selves
bleak depressions in the sucking earth?

shall we set it down
and continue on lighter
or perhaps go on
in the hope that
strength tested is strength grown

why not the former…
for maybe it was never ours,
maybe it was placed upon us
by some other passer by
seeking to uncharitably unload
some self-made sack of woe

and so we stop for a moment,
take stock of the contents
to see it filled with shame
and in determination decide
that we will not carry
another person’s burdens;
we have walked honourably
and will continue to do so
making it our choice
and no one else’s