Hinder me not, for I’m doing my best,

not to be better than others, but to be an example to the rest.

Paving  the way for others to follow,

but you can’t take this path if your heart is hollow.

Hollow like a tree that lacks spirit and life,

a heart filled with jealousy, envy, and strife.

You hinder my journey and you hinder your own,

refusing to tear down your wall of stone.

Stone that surrounds your heart so securely,

draining all your tenderness ~ slowly but surely.

I must move on now, but the path is still there,

for yourself and others to partake of and share.

The outcome of your journey ~ it really all depends,

if you tear down your wall and allow your heart to mend.

Resume your journey and others will follow,

for your heart has healed and is no longer hollow.

Hollow like the tree earlier on this trip,

which is more than a memory because from it life now drips.

By Sylvia Porter-Hall