The Road Is One

My friend, the road parts here, you see.
And from here each will walk alone,
Aware that, though his road may cross
His friend’s road once or twice someday,
The day will likely never come
When branches pulled apart recover
all the oneness of their past.

So seldom does acquaintance ripen
Into fruitful comradeship,
It seems a pity we must part
Who, all too brief, matched step with step,
Serenely paced each other’s journey,
Gladly shared a single road.

I saw a second self in you,
However incomplete the form.
You were in part a faithful glass
That gave me back my own true image,
Seen through eyes that looked like mine.

And now the eyes will change their image,
Look toward different points of view.
But comrades once are comrades still,
As long as mind holds past in present.

So, my friend, farewell! Fare well
along whatever road is yours,
Whatever skies you walk beneath.

I too shall walk beneath those skies
And, in my mind, shall share that road.

You see, the road is one, my friend.