you are familiar with the
backdrop of inky woods
a place you have knelt before
redemption on your palms
branches bent under the
weight of knowing a
path urgently erased into
the darkness by
an unseen hand
over your shoulder the
wolves are coming
their cries of battle
and savage hunger
you already know
fear is what they smell
and she needed you once
to be her guide
and her protector
the journey that trailed off
beyond your line of sight
and now you turn to watch
an unwavering and
wanton creature
standing alone
with her back straight
a face asking for love
from the sinking sun
hands reaching out
ready to join the pack
© 8.28.2016 heather brager
Both scary and sad. Pack mentality has destroyed me a few times. They don't like me.
ReplyDeleteThe turn at the end is very effective.
So many twists and turns and trysts and spurns in a fairy tale, all leading up to a single, solitary happy ending. That sure seems like a lot to invest on a single return; yet that is the preferred goal.
ReplyDeleteCool poem, Miss Brager.