Echoes

Long ago I found myself,

before an empty cave.

With a chance to prove my worth,

and see if I was brave.

At first I spoke with reticence,

a calm and gentle Voice.

I dreamed of options without end,

of clear and simple choice.

Then I spoke with clarity,

a firm and careful Tone.

I feared that I would lose myself,

or ever be alone.

This cast my words upon a breeze,

that faltered into Noise.

Uncertain of the way to go,

to find such humble joys.

Doubt, as words, were given life,

that ever potent Scream.

Shook me from the ridicule,

of every waking dream.

Startled into speech once more,

the barest sound of Hope.

Filled the cave with light of day,

and showed to me a rope.

I grabbed it then, with two bare hands,

and pulled with all my might.

It moved the entrance far away,

and brought the end in sight.

Without the time to be amazed,

I soon was met by sound.

It shook the earth with certainty,

and brought me to the ground.

a voice, a tone, a noise, a scream,

a hope (without an end)

Each of these had found me there

so far along the bend.

For Echoes are just like the past,

and surely they may fade,

but never will they ever change,

as soon as they are made.