The road is bare
the air bitterly cold
and the animals in the wood
let their screams unfold.
Trees align the dark empty road
huge trunks, blackened with age
with elongated branches
for leaves to mingle and cascade.
Only a fool
walks a road at night
and you curse yourself
for not waiting till daylight.
The hairs on your neck
start to slowly rise
as comes a noise from the wood
unlike any bird cry.
To the middle of the road
you start to walk
away from woods edge
where something might stalk.
Your legs moving quicker
yet each pace resounds
thumping on the road
like an echo's rebound.
Your breath starts to form
its own mist in the air
and the rhythm of your heart
now beats loud in your ear.
Once more your words
flow from your throat
cursing yourself
in a rancorous note.
"A road at night
is no place to be,
impatience brought me
to this stupidity?
If I can get safely
away from this place
I'll not walk at night
no matter the haste"
And once more your feet
move in a run
as your eyes search the sky
for an awakening sun.
© Embeth
June 2002
