The Road

Twin Peaks Pass in Tucson

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

Still round the corner there may wait
A new road or a secret gate,
And though I oft have passed them by,
A day will come at last when I
Shall take the hidden paths that run
West of the Moon, East of the Sun.

J.R.R. Tolkien

At the mountain pass in southern Arizona. The road glides down into the desert as the sun sets and the full moon rises behind us. For a while, I walk those hidden paths between moon and sun with my beloved ones who travel on before me, and wish them good journey and reunion.

{ 3 comments… add one }
  • Margaret O'Brien 04/11/2012, 4:25 am

    Beautiful, Cari!

    I love your photo and thoughtful musings on our life journeys…

    I knew that quote was familiar…I am in the midst of reading “The Lord of the Rings” now, having just finished “The Hobbit.” One of those series of books that have been out for years but somehow I never got around to reading or seeing the movies. They are utterly charming. Good old Bilbo Baggins…

    Thank you!
    Margaret

    • Cari 04/11/2012, 4:14 pm

      Thanks, Margaret! I’m told that this poem appears in several different forms throughout “The Lord of the Rings” books. So Tolkien was never quite done with it. I picked the two verses that seemed best to me, but there are plenty of other variations. Glad you are reading this amazing classic!

  • Michele 04/13/2012, 8:59 pm

    🙂 I love this poem, and the photo you chose is a lovely modern counterpoint to the original.

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