You Will Live Poem by John Alma Wingfield Smith

He awoke before me early about three hours ago
and left behind a note that said: “I am where you will go
but before you come to where I am, and greet me with a kiss,
I have to tell you something of the gap that you can’t miss
it is a mighty chasm; I’ll say it’s fathomless at best
I know you have a fear of heights, but you can pass this test
and when upon this journey the choice is yours to make
remember that right road will be the harder one to take”

So on I’ve come alone now, my companion’s gone ahead
I’m doing my best to follow him, but with absence in his stead
I’m not sure of the road the road I’m on, but then I see it, there
a gulf of such great splendor, it takes the sound out of the air
nearing the edge I find there are two bridges I may choose
one is made of tattered ropes and wood planks rather loose
the other bridge is solid gold looking sturdy to the core
and so I think to cross on it believing I’ll see the shore

Yet upon approaching it I find a gilded sign:
“to the other side you’ll safely go, but where it leads is mine”
apprehensive now I turn around to the broken tattered bridge
and see another post that reads: “I promise you will live”.
looking across to the other side with clarity I see
my companion waits with arms abroad anxious to greet me
after seeing his face I think upon the words of which he spake
“remember that the right road will be the harder one to take”

And so I trust and do not fear though reason tells me to
for my companion is an honest friend and has always told me truth
“you can” he said, so I step out and steadly make my way
beating out my fear and doubt through every creek and sway
looking across I find where the golden bridge does lead
I see men there who sowed with ease and now reap only weeds
reaching the end I embrace my friend and he says “you passed the test
come now my dearest, dearest friend and together we will rest.”