The Looking Glass Volume 39 | Page 42

Forest

The forest is cloudy

as a fog settles around me.

Pushing away the branches 

that prick with their thorns.

It's dark and 

I'm all alone.

Trees surround me, 

getting denser

until all I see is brown.

I follow the trail, 

but suddenly it disappears.

Where did it go?

Will no one teach me?

Am I the only one who feels so lost?

Why? 

Where is everyone?

Suddenly the trees set fire

and as I sit in the middle of this burning forest,

not knowing how I got here or what to do,

I cry because I’m the only one who doesn’t know.

I’m alone and drowning in smoke.

But a hand reaches through the trees.

Ushering for me to grab it

and I do.

They’ve been here before,

they know how to escape.

I let them lead me out 

and I’m no longer dying.

I never was.

Now I know

that next time I’m lost,

I’m not alone.