…in a forest

It was a pathway in a forest, where I had never passed before
in the merest clutch of minutes, my life was mine no more
I walked the track forever, lost a lifetime in one night
I barely felt it happen, as I fell into the breach
I felt control flow from me like the passing of a sigh
I found an offered lifeline and in ignorance I reached
I danced beneath the brightest stars around the warmest fires
I fell upon some secret glades where violets lay like jewels
sprinkled with abandon on a blanket wrought in jade
interspersed with yellow primrose, full of promises and light
beneath the softest weeping willows that trailed tresses out behind
to the lively dancing waters of the melting winter falls
I wished to stay forever in that blessed tranquil place
but a nagging truth did stalk me, seeking only to be found
so I forged ahead in earnest and cut a swathe ahead
crushing all and any underfoot in my effort to be free
even that which never harmed me, was bruised by my retreat
the vines they sought to hold me back, engulf me, keep me close
the ancient trees they watched me
from their dark and haughty groves
their terror and their beauty, great enough to make me weep
their sentry posts dispatched their scouts to halt my laboured flight
their arms reached out forever, stealing every inch of sky
they trapped me in their garden, beat me down and took my soul
now I am lost within the clutches of the life within the dark
ever more to trace the circle, of alternate hope, despair
ever more to seek the quiet places, where my spirit soars
to yearn for satisfaction from a deeper, unfound place
a secret undiscovered, the place I was meant to be
the Aladdin’s cave, the treasure trove that only I can find
yet it is not within the forest, in the places that I hunt
it is hidden deep within me, awaiting but the key
the key which is held by only one
the one who seeks me too
ever more and endlessly
© Ann Bagnall
2013