New Year's Eve walk

A walk by the river
here a chance to turn back
not taken
a slow uphill walk
past moss-grown stone walls
winding up onto moors
a walk too slow, too late
to really enjoy the view
already dusk
a stumbling descent, unsure
foolhardy?
yet we are already here
we have to proceed.

Black mud
sharp stones
treacherous ice
where is the path?
as darkness falls
the valley twinkles with
Christmas lights
a good day or a bad day?
determined only by the state of the mind
foolhardy or adventurous?
only thinking makes it so.*
Shall we go again?
yes
but in daylight!

© 1 Jan 15
* "there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so" (Shakespeare, Hamlet).