I’ve been stumbling along for quite a while now,
On this path that does not seem to end,
It stretches on beneath my feet
And commands my soul to descend.

I’ve been walking blindly on this path
Not knowing where it will end
All I know is that I must keep moving on,
As it orders my heart to descend.

Am I, am I still moving? And how long have I been moving for?
Is the end coming up shortly?
And does this corridor lead to a door?
I cannot feel; I cannot sense- the very essence of my presence.
Am I bound or am I free?
Was I forced here by my own, or another’s decree?

I do not know, I do not know, and my soul trudges blindly on,
I do not know what it is I want,
And if this journey will continue to prolong.
If I wish to stop, will my feet disobey?
Can I choose my path, or does another lead the way?

Are we going up? Or am I spiralling down?
Am I walking freely and unrestrained?
Or am I stumbling on- bound in chains?
Do I lead myself down this path? Or am I being lead?
Should I stop here, or do I want to know what lies ahead?

I do not know, I do not know, and my heart pounds in its cage,
I wish I knew what I wanted,
My curiosity engulfed in blind, oblivious rage.
Am I walking on this path, or is it the path that is moving?
Or is everything breathlessly still, and it is time that is running?

Oh this path! What is this path?
I alone walk it- so is it my path?
Is it long, or is it short?
Will it stay straight, or cripple and distort?
I do not know. I do not know. Why do I not know?

Before I started this incredulous task, that is, if it had a start,
Was I a full human, with knowledge, a soul and a heart?
Was I nothing- and am I nothing now?
Why is this path even here?
Where? What? When? How?

I do not know. I do not know.
And so, I wallow unknowingly on,
Struggling in blind dismay.
Stumbling inadvertently through life, and walking day,
After day,
After day.


Arub Saqib