the pilgrim

to the holy shrine

in bare feet

set off walking

 

rough terrain

and scorching heat

will test his

resolve along the way

to the distant shrine

 

it will take

several soul searching days

to realize

a life times desire

and his faith

will be sorely tested

 

the pilgrim

will rely upon

the hospitality of strangers

to fulfil his dream

 

each evening

strangers will welcome him

with open arms

to their homes

 

here he'll nurse

and bathe

his blistered feet

and aching body

 

he'll break bread

and share wine

with his hosts

 

he'll have a bed

to rest his

weary bones in

 

each morning

invigorated after

a good night's sleep

he'll enjoy a

hearty breakfast

 

he'll then thank

his hosts

and bid them farewell

 

they'll wish him

God's speed

and he'll wend

his way nearer

to the journey's end

 

on the day

he reaches the shrine

he'll say

a silent prayer

 

a certain sense of calm

and inner peace

will pervade his aura

 

his belief in God

thus confirmed

his life 

will be transformed

for ever