The Boy and the Forest
Emerging from the fog, Climbing up to the light
A boy covered in scars comes to the forest.
Eyes flashing steel,
Teeth sharp with spite.
He cannot tell how long it's been,
Since he found softness in his own skin
Comfort within himself
Some peace from within.
He looks at his surroundings,
He blinks at the bright, jolly sun in the sky
He collapses by a river
And watches fish go by.
When his heavy eyes
Open to find the light
He is shocked to feel a presence
And a furry face that gives him a fright
"Do not be scared,
Be calm and let your heart swell"
THe boy's expression softened
For the wolf before him spoke so well.
"You have come to a world so much unlike your own,
You've travelled far to rest upon this stone."
The boy nodded coldly, his face a mask
"I have fought many demons to reach this place and atone.
I heard this place was heaven,
So I took uo my sword
To venture here and find an end to pain."
"This place is not the end, on that you have my word."
The wolf replies
"I fear you have never known a world without a fight"
The wolf steps closer, eyes glittering with grief.
"Come rest with me awhile, and let your leart be light"
The boy covered in scars
lowers his sword
Angry eyes contorting, softening,
At the gentle creature's word.
His shoulders sag as he sighs
And sits beside the beast
He rests for a moment
A long moment as days and nights pass in a cycle to never cease."
Falling asleep in a bed of clover,
A young soldier and a beast
The sword no longer needed
This place was safe at least
And as a rock in a river smooths
So too did the boy release
He learned again to smile
And approach the world with ease
One day dearest wolf said gently to him,
"Maybe you are ready to leave and live once again?"
The boy made a face
"I dont think back there I could ever truly grin."
"Nonsense," says wolf, curling close
"You have learned so much from the Forest"
The boy nods
"I am glad I met you instead of an angel's chorus."
Wolf leans in close, fur soft and warm
"I am glad too though our tine grows short"
"what do you mean?" asks boy "This place is a respite of sort,
Dont be afraid to be whole again, To move from this dream to the other."
A tear rolls down the boy's cheek
"How do I know I'm ready? That I should even bother?"
"You should always bother my dear"
Wolf licks his face softly
"Open your eyes and live once again"
And the boy woke up, though the task was lofty
he lights of the hospital flicker and dim
And the boy realizes he is still here
He grasps at his chest in sorrow and pain,
Only to find something very strange,
Where once there was a hole in his heart,
There was now a wolf, and a river, and a clover patch, and a place that was safe