Encounter on the Path Travail

Below is a poem I wrote about 15 years ago after reading John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress for the first time. It was meant to be an allegorical illustration of spiritual declension and renewal.

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‘Twas an evening dark and cold as I labored on the trail;
A signpost to the right of me marked out the path "Travail."
My eyes were fixed upon my feet, no further could I see;
My back was bent beneath the weight of the burden placed on me.

‘Twas nigh to night I didst perceive a stranger at my side;
He fell in step with those mine own and bid me in him confide.
"My friend," said he, "I pray thee tell, by what name are ye known?
And wherefore doth thou treadest now this dreary path alone?"

I strained to look upon his face and my lips produced a sigh;
I thanked him for his company, and then finally said I,
"'Despondence' now by name I’m known, though once my name was 'Free;'
I labor now upon this path beneath the burden thou doth see."

"Yea," said he, "I clearly see the weight upon thy back,
And that thy gaze is fixed upon thine own feet as they track.
I pray thee tell the reason why thou didst choose to change thy name
From one of such nobility to this so full of shame?"

"My name," said I, "‘Despondence’ now, for this is all I know;
My feet tread slow for unsure am I whither do they go.
The burden on my back you see is a weight I must now bear -
A symbol of anxiety, which garments I now do wear."

"I recall," continued I, "When once my cares did cease;
My burden then as now was great, but in Him I found release."
I spoke of a path I did once pursue, joy its fruit begotten;
My head in sorrow hung as I confessed ‘twas all forgotten.

Reaching out to me he offered silent comfort with his hand;
And then with gentle words bade me to help him understand.
"Thou sayest that thy step was light and nothing didst thou lack;
Wherefore doth thou now return this burden to thy back?"

"Was He to whom thou hadst turned unfaithful and untrue?
Did He ever break His oath and turn away from you?
Or didst thou simply shun His peace, thus choosing for thine own,
The state in which I find thee now, upon this path alone?"

"Stranger," said I, "Thou makest clear the folly that was mine,
In taking back the things I didst then leave in hands divine.
Thy wisdom kindly spoken has allowed me now to see,
‘Tis naught but mine own unbelief that binds this weight to me."

I loosed the burden from my back and dropped it to the ground;
Then turned to thank the stranger there, but nowhere was he found.
I thought perchance he may have been an angel from above,
Sent to point the way once more back to my first love.

And so turned I myself about, a new path my feet didst track;
One by name of "light" and "easy," with no burden on my back.
Surrendered to the Holy One, "Faithful and True" His name;
Free once more within His care, and there I shall remain.