I was taught to hold to the rod, to keep it clutched tight.
       To keep my focus forward and not to the left or right.
Life was going well. Few problems arose for me.
       And my course ahead was clear as far as I could see.

Then came the day when I walked into a mist of darkness
       and it changed my life, and brought much pain and sadness.
When I entered the mist, right and wrong began to blur.
       And then sinful feelings inside me, slowly began to stir.

Then, in time, the lure to let go of the rod became strong.
       So I yielded and let go, thinking it not that wrong.
When I let go, it seemed that a new exciting life began
       and soon from within, came forth a new and "Natural man."

And then one day by surprise, the mist went totally away
       and left was the reality ...of how far I had gone astray.
Now, my pain and anguish, had stripped away my smile;
       what I thought was just a few feet ...turned out to be over a mile.