The Ill-Lit Way Ahead Poem by Vihanga Perera

One night - it was past ten, more eleven -
I was traveling with my heart heavy,
And where the bus let me off by
Letting me slide off the foot board,
I stood for a moment, trying to gather what's thought.

That kind of desolation was new to me.
I had more miles to go, through the night and dark.

I had a bad-lit way ahead, under
Dampened municipal lights. Dogs raising their heads,
The others whimper-sniffing by. Centering my ‘pack
With no clear thoughts I think I surprised
Myself there where the road splits, at the half-lit Y

By turning down the path, that dips, goes up the hill,
To where you reposed, by your warmth pampered by.

And I knew that you lay, in a world unknown
To the heaviness I shouldered, or what
My crest held down. I knew that you were safe,
Happy, and in a cozy love-nest laid.
And to face whatever would face me I was suddenly not afraid.