I never climbed a mountain nor crossed a mighty sea.   I never danced with royalty nor sought celebrity.

But I've lived on higher mountains, drawn deep the finer air, and dwelled below the seascape in the bowels of despair.

I've turned a final corner to green meadow's gentle days, and faced the storms of Autumn through a deadly golden maze.

I stand now at the crossroads to the other half of time, and look back at the sandy trails that come to where I stand.

The left is marred of tread marks. The right more deeply trenched. A middle path of sticky thorns and stones to draw the flinch.

The soles of every shoe lay still, to litter leeward ways of Kings and Popes and Emperors, too; and mobs of none who'd stray

Leeward? Yes, the right and left. Both safe, well tried and proved. The easier, less honest way; not meant for bigger fools.

I never climbed a mountain nor crossed a mighty sea. I never walked the footsteps of lesser fools than me.

I stand now at the crossroads to the other half of time, and doubt it not that I will choose that foolish centerline.

- S. A. Pool