{"sf1_id":1682441,"sf2_id":"rm85VVn0","title":"One More Step (Poem)","author":"Rakuen Growlithe","words":320,"posted_at":"2021-02-08T19:26:00.000Z","tags":["Clean","Poetry"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1682441-one-more-step-poem","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/rm85VVn0","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/45/d4/45d4e9c1-9752-449d-b198-fd1e2066e26a","description":"","content":"When you take your first step, all the world's unknown;  \nNo markers there to guide you, your path is your own.  \nYou light your own way, while blazing a trail;  \nDrawn to flickers in the distance, perchance to cast off the veil.  \nTogether burning brighter, form a temp'ry abode;  \nBut nothing lasts forever, when each has their own road.  \nLights diverge from each other, travelling paths still uncharted;  \nAnd each step takes more effort, not quite like when you started.  \nStill no signs and no markers, telling you where to go;  \nSo much easier to stay here, in the place which you know.  \n  \nWhen you turn to go back, you see nothing is there;  \nJust a cold, empty path, with no sounds anywhere.  \nTry to glance through the soft fog, 'neath a darkening sky;  \nThe fading glow of your memories, all that's left to see by.  \nWhere are the lights, which once shone so bright?  \nTheir places taken by shadow and a darkening night.  \nWill you brave the darkness of an unknown trail;  \nUnsure what lies in wait or if you'll even prevail?  \nOr cling to the fading glow of a world you had known;  \n'Till blown away with the fog or turned into stone?  \nThat's not how you made it here, of that I guarantee;  \nYour light's not stopped burning and there's still more to see.  \nWhat lies out there beyond, what paths will still converge?  \nA brighter, shining light could have yet to emerge.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Everything from your past, all the people you know;  \nThey all live inside you, you shine with their glow.  \nYou can make it much brighter, depending how you respond;  \nFace up to the darkness, though unsure what's beyond.  \nGather your courage, it is time to be bold;  \nLife's journey isn't over, until we are cold.  \nPick yourself up, you don't belong in the past;  \nOne more step, keep repeating, and your journey will last.  \n  \n\n"}