A.H. Browning

Through Sleeping Trees

 

Through sleeping trees
I walk and see
An endless woodland
Ahead of me
The sun relents
Behind burgeoning clouds
My footing and spirit fail

This weakening heart
Within my chest
Is slower, tired
And craving rest
Unsure the paths
That led me here
Unsure the way to go

Something pursues
In the woods, I fear
It keeps in shadows
And follows me here
Intentions unknown
Most likely unkind
When finally, are revealed

A silence falls
An ill wind blows
And in my heart
A darkness grows
Adrift, forgotten
So far from home
I endure to no avail

My disquieting companion
Is patient, concealed
Watching for weakness
Should one misstep reveal
I must take ample care
With a pretense of strength
To hide any expression of fear

With wounded composure
Much uncertainty ahead
My remaining possessions
Are hunger and dread
How far have I traveled
Am I unhinged or just lost
Is there any cause left to press on

The beast circles closer
Keeping hidden from sight
Watching in sunlight
Stalking at night
Why not just end
This tormented pursuit
And grant my poor soul repose

Yet, Life wants to live
To survive, even now
Ignoring all suffering
Regardless of how
Might I still stand
Will I still fight
Or embrace everlasting night

The demon that followed
In the woods is now here
No longer in shadows
With no hint of fear
Eyes, dark as death
Cut right through me this night
I will stand my ground, I will fight

All assurances betray me
Blood is spilled, life is taken
The trees slumber, indifferent
They never awaken
One soul persists, weak and broken
The other, lifeless upon the ground
With vile content, Death claims its foul prize

In the somber, grim darkness
Now eerie with silence
The cold encircles, embraces
The night’s grave, deadly violence
Blood flows, dark red crimson
I’ve not much left to give
Yet regardless, even now, Life still wants to live

 

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