Walking thru the forest one day.
I reached a spot to my dismay.
Where nothing was as it seemed to be.
I wondered if my eyes truly did see.
There in a clearing was a large iron gate.
Where an old woman leaned against a rock.
So old I wondered if I was to late.
As I grew near she started to speak.
In a voice as old as the ages.
I am the gate keeper. Leave your bounty here.
And go and find what you seek.
I did not know what she spoke of.
And what I searched for was my love.
I continued over to her and said,
Who are you old lady and what is this place.
She looked at me and spoke once more.
Telling me what she had before.
I am the gate keeper.
I have been here for all time.
Leave what you carry and go on your way.
And what you leave let it stay.
I did not know what she spoke of.
My arms were empty I carried nil.
But this woman was asking for my bounty still.
I found comfort inside of me.
A strange feeling I usually did not see.
A lightness of the heart.
A new beginning, a new start.
As the woman hobbled away.
I asked what I was to pay.
She turned looking as old as death.
I am the gate keeper.
I have been here for all time.
All your secrets are now mine.
You owe no pay.
Just go and live.
The weight of the secrets is what you had to give.
I think of that gate keeper.
And all the secrets I had.
Holding them had made me really sad.