The Lost Traveler 

by Paloma Castroa

Like a stranger without a home, I wandered through the dark

Wherever I went, I could not find rest 

The food was plenty, but still I was hungry

As I wandered to and fro, I was asked, "What do you seek?" 

"I seek rest!" I answered

"Go there," a voice answered, "and you will find rest!"

Yet, I sought, but I did not find 

I sought knowledge, but was not satisfied 

I craved the presence of friends

But in my darkest hour, where were they? 

I was a stranger in my own home

I traveled through the dark, finding no place to rest

For company, I had empty promises 

The promises were many, but they were all in vain

As I grew tired, I searched desperately for hope

Without hope, my heart grew faint 

Then, as I wandered through the darkness I beheld a stranger

I ran to this man, in complete desperation

"Oh, is there really no hope?" I cried. 

"Who are you?" the man asked. 

"I am a traveler, a wanderer, a man without a home," I answered. 

"What do you seek?" this man asked me. 

"I am hungry and without a home! I am told to go 'here' and 'there'!" 

The man led me to a table, and there I saw a banquet

Excited, I tried to run towards the banquet

The man shook his head, but still I ran 

There I found people who were content

"I am hungry!" I groaned 

The man led me to a mountaintop and there I saw everything

I saw my former life and felt dispair 

I saw the places that I had wandered, the people that I had met 

I was sure that there was no hope to be found

Then, the stranger became my friend. 

He was the light that I sought in the darkness

The friend that I had never known

He pointed me back to the banquet.

I shook my head, feeling defeated and lost.

"You are no longer lost," he whispered. 

Then, I knew, that in this man, that I had found hope! 

He led me to the banquet

There, I was satisfied.