A Path so Dark

A forest dark as the night

With no more path than trodden trails

Holds me tight for now

Though I don't believe its been long

I can only remember:

The taste of pine in the air,

The living green emerald leaves,

The warm scent of summer warning.

The plumes welcomed me

And I embraced them for I couldn't see

The path and liked to think

That they held on with sticky ends to stop me going.

But I'm gone, far gone,

They are no help to me

My legs stride ahead,

They thump solid ground

I dare not glance over shoulder

To taunt the hand I feel bearing down

Steady in its descent

Though I never do see it. I know it

As I know my own.