The Promise Poem by Jim Yerman

30 years ago she was 21 years olds… and therein begins her tale…
for it was then her dream began…to hike the Appalachian Trail.

As a young woman filled with hope and excitementshe eagerly began her jaunt
but she didn't make it to the finish…giving up when she reached Vermont.

It was there she told herself, she made a vow, …she would not be defeated
for one day, although she knew not when, her hike would be completed.

I'll complete my hike before I'm 30 she told herself…as her ego she consoled.
By 30 I will finish the trail…by 30 is my goal.

Then she attended college, got a job and it seemed to be her fate
that responsibilities were calling now and her hike would have to wait.

I'll complete my hike before I'm 40 she told herself…as her ego she consoled.
By 40 I will finish the trail…by 40 is my goal.

But marriage and children found their way into her life and it seemed to be her fate
their needs superseded her wants…and her hike would have to wait…

I'll complete my hike before I'm 50 she told herself…as her ego she consoled.
By 50 I will finish the trail…by 50 is my goal.

By 51…her marriage ended, her children grown…time was moving slow…
and her mind returned to her promise made all those years ago.

She knew it wouldn't be easy…She knew it would be a strain
but she started hiking in Vermont and finished up in Maine.

When she reached the top of Mount Katahdin a smile overwhelmed her face
as she thought of all the years it took…to finally reach this place.

She thought how proud she was to be standing there…proud her hike was through…
proud she kept her promise…proud she made her dream come true.

At 51…she thought of the young girl who made that promise…how life had intervened.
of all that had happened to her…in those 30 years in between.

And as I listened to her story…I thought how it never is too late…
for no matter how long it may take us…some dreams are worth the wait.