The+Journey+**

One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice- though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles. "Mend my life!" each voice cried. But you didn't stop. You knew what you had to do, though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations, though their melancholy was terrible. It was already late enough, and a wild night, and the road full of fallen branches and stones. But little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own, that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world, determined to do the only thing you could do- determined to save the only life you could save.
 * The Journey**

- The theme of the poem is clearly stated in the title; the journey each person has to take and the difficulties and obstacles that one will encounter. - The poem is filled with strong imagery about the journey of this traveler. - The journey is difficult because of the 'wild night' and 'the wind pried with its stiff fingers'. However, the traveler didn't stop and continued to fight through the harshness of the night. - The traveler seems to be finding him/herself as he/she gains more experience and knowledge about the world. - The 'voices' that 'kept shouting their bad advice' represents the people around someone, who don't truly know what is best for you. Ultimately, you have to understand who you are, listen to that inner voice and do what you believe is right. - There are no stanza breaks throughout this poem, possibly portraying how in life there are no "breaks" and that it is an ongoing and continuous journey.
 * Analysis:**