The Light At The End Poem by Julianna O'Bar

She is standing at the mouth of a tunnel.
Behind her is light and comfort
Before her is darkness and uncertainty.
Peering into the gloom gives her
no clues as to
what lies within.
She is at the threshold
of the darkness.
Only one step separates
her and the unknown.
Hesitating, she looks around at
what she's leaving behind,
Then looks forward
at where she's going.
Taking a deep breath
she steps forward.
Immediately she is cloaked
in semi-darkness;
the grey area where
you can still see your surroundings,
but they are in a
hazy twilight.
She looks at herself,
as if checking to make sure
she's still intact.
When she looks up
something changes in her.
Her back straightens and
her eyes light up with
renewed determination.
Now without any hesitation
she rushes forward and
disappears in the cave's mouth.

What was it that
motivated her to
look in the tunnel?
What did she see in the darkness
that caused her to
venture forward?
No doubt there were obstacles
barring her way.
Twists and turns and
forks in the path.
Yet, still, she pressed on.
Perhaps she saw something
that gave her hope;
The promise of something
better at the end.
Only she knows the
answers to these questions,
for she dared to leave
her known world for
what lay beyond.
That is what defines her.
Anyone can take the first step,
when you don't know
what you're getting into.
But it takes courage
to go beyond,
fight the obstacles,
and find the light
at the end
of the tunnel.