Choices - Chapter 1

*Choices*

Looking back upon my years,
I see mistakes I've made
and marvel at their impact
on this mortal path I pave.
Each fork and turn is lined in thorns
with markers etched in stone,
forevermore reminding me
of choices that I own.
I dare not blame heredity, or
childhood traumas faced,
for bringing me to where I stand
with innocence misplaced.

I'd like to think I still have hope
of reaching my redemption,
but don't know if I trust myself
to learn from every lesson.
I cannot chart direction when
no master plan exists,
and time will not fold back for me
to replay what I've missed.
So I'll plod on, with good intent
and hoping for the best,
to blindly make my way through life
while God decides the rest.