The Odyssey Contained (in part) Within a Contemporary Poem

There is also a wonderful film about another Odyssey, The Way with Martin Sheen and directed by his son, Emilio Estevez.

The Way

Friend, I have lost the way.
The way leads on.
Is there another way?
The way is one.
I must retrace the track.
It's lost and gone.
Back, I must travel back!
None goes there, none.
Then I'll make here my place,
(The road leads on),
Stand still and set my face,
(The road leaps on),
Stay here, for ever stay.
None stays here, none.
I cannot find the way.
The way leads on.
Oh places I have passed!
That journey's done.
And what will come at last?
The road leads on.

 

~ Edwin Muir ~

(Collected Poems)

Or, as stated in a translation of Chinese caligraphy caringly given to me by someone many years ago: "Proceed, regardless of difficulty."