Forest of Trepidation

                             Lost in the forest of trepidation,
                             encircled by a woods of branchless trees-
                             As tedious a site as ever seen,
                             not a bird in the leaves to chirp me free.
                             Sunlight seeks the floor through the canopy;
                             floating silhouettes give hope to what’s lost.
                             Following the ballet through the dark maze,
                             a path to nowhere as the shadows dance-

                             The sun rises and sets from east to west,
                             making a path through that which is the same.
                             Moving in a circle of unbroken pattern,
                             lost and afraid to uncover new ways-
                             Endless days and nights all becoming one
                             as the sun dances to the same old song.
                             A dreary tune played out of harmony
                             with a spirit longing to be set free.

                             A perpendicular trail to explore
                             can be seen running west on the forest’s floor.
                             Legends be told, it leads to a far land
                             with dazzling mountains and beautiful peaks.
                             Stepping onto the trail, upon the path
                             legend has named, Monotony Undone;
                             I gently take my first hesitant steps,
                             softly skirting the trees hiding me.

                             As I feared, trouble bustles through the trees
                             and I feel it coming down upon me.
                             Oh my God! There it stands blocking my path,
                             a huge tundra wolf, head cocked, eyes glaring,
                             gray, with its head and flank streaked red and black.
                             Showing teeth but somehow not menacing,
                             the eyes looked to be questioning, but not.
                             I heard, “my name is Kody, what was lost is found.”

                             Turning in a manner that took command-
                             Through the forest and out of the dark woods-
                             To the land of mountains and striking peaks
                             and a green glen flowing with a cool stream-
                             When the path ended at the emerald glen,
                             Kody vanished instantly to thin air.
                             Before my eyes stood a beautiful wolf,
                             she coyly approached ... handing me my pen.