A Favorite Poem: ** The Zig-Zag Path **

Unknown Author

I came across this poem many years ago as a young adult. It reminded me so much of myself as an adolescent coming home on my bike. Our house being on a corner lot provided me a choice of two streets (paths) to take on my way home. Call it the challenge of a "Joe conquering the mountain" moment, or just a kid pushing to see how far his body could go, but I seemed to always choose the uphill path.

At some point after conquering the hill non-stop, I began swerving back and forth uphill while practicing riding without my hands on the handlebars. Eventually, while doing this I discovered an ease, comfort, and rhythm which allowed me to remain seated and relaxed while going up the hill. No more heavy panting and sweating with my heart racing and lungs about to explode. I could sit using only my strong, young legs while zig-zagging home uphill. Of course, by then I had a bike with gears and could use the lower gears.

Sure, it took a bit more time, and traffic sometimes interrupted my flow. But on a good day, that final stretch riding home uphill gave me time to look back on a day spent adventurously riding around town on my bike. Also, while contemplating all I'd seen that day, I had time to look forward and appreciate the loving family home I was returning to. 

It was as if everything in the universe came together on the seat of that bike and felt right, blissful. This might have been my first experience, unknowingly, with meditation and eastern thought.

So, whenever I read this poem, I get to re-live a small piece of my wonderful childhood which will always be a part of me. I get to watch that 13-year-old kid who felt life was eternally wonderful as he took the uphill path home with an ease and grace it seemed only he knew about. And knowing upon arrival he was safe and loved.

I wish every kid could have that feeling every day of their young lives. And then as an adult have some song, picture, or poem to remind them of it. What else can you do with such blessed memories like these but share them.