The Forest

The path through the forest surrounding the lake
Gets darker and colder before they awake
They slip from the water and mix with the air
They blow with the wind - hang around if you dare!

Each terrified footstep you place on the ground
Brings faint distant murmurs as they hear every sound
Each branch is a finger each leaf is an eye
Come closer, come closer to us they all sigh

As the moonlight surrounds you confounding your fears
That fences are moving and the walls all have ears
The tree in the clearing is a welcoming sight
As you're desperate to hide from the beckoning night

With legs and arms burning and reluctant to go
They're after you FASTER and faster they go
You get to its refuge but freeze when your eyes
Are drawn to a new and unwelcome surprise

That the tree that has sheltered in sunlight and rain
Has somehow succumbed to the darkness again
Its beautiful trunk that you welcomed before
Is replaced by a dark and a menacing door!

With the darkness ahead and the darkness behind
Your trembling hands on the door that you find
With desolate creaks and foreboding deep groans
The door slowly opens to their echoing moans

The path through the forest surrounding the lake
Gets darker and colder before they awake
The forest takes hold of the easily led
If you dare to escape from the warmth of your bed….

Mark Davies, Ayrshire Forest Cluster