Forbidden Forest

1982 revised 2011

Glistening, muscles rippling,

I raced into the deep woods-

I was the Lord of trails, trees, frigid streams,

an urban Hermes conquering Artemis domain.

Within moments the road became steeper, the forest darker;

my legs began to burn, my breathing painful.

A stone tumbled me into the mud.

Laying there

I felt that eyes watched me from the trees,

sinister eyes.

I arose and murky pools forced me into the brush,

nettles and thorns clutched my ankles,

low limbs swacked my head and shoulders,

black flies attacked my eyes

chasing me back the way I came.

Panting,bleeding

I finally rested at the aged rotten bridge.

I heard soft laughter.

It became louder  filling  the forest.