I've been walking this forbidding forest
Seven days, seven nights, or more
Hard to tell, days and nights weave here
I Don't sleep: I walk.
When I started, the way was open
Beautiful woodland, flowers bordered
The trees stood, in open ground, strong
Their leaves; each one bearing a truth
The sweet smell of blossom
Snowed down on me, little white lies.
As I progressed this treadmill got harder
On the third day, I met a beautiful dog
wonderful white fur, eyes bright, alive
I bid her good day; paused to converse
She showed me her remarkable rosette
Compliments conveyed, I continued on my way.
The path started to feel different, closer
On the fifth day, I met the bitch again
She was different, dirty, dishevelled
Brown staining her muzzle, food I hoped
'Are you okay, may I help?'
'I do not need help I have a rosette!' She snapped
'I could call for your owner to?'
'I have a rosette; do not talk to me!' she yelped
I left her yapping behind.
Walking now with a sense of unease
Am I being followed; I hear footsteps behind
On the seventh day, I met an old boar
I smelt him first; wallowing in cess
I offered to help him out
'I am a King.' he proclaimed
'May I help you out of the stink, your majesty?'
'It is you who stinks young man!' he spat.
'Your majesty, you are literally sprawling in shit.'
'What arrogance to believe you could help me?'
I left his stench to the wind.
Now, I walk this route mute
My only words the mantra of the blind
I still see, I still hear.
The footsteps behind me
I believe are my own
Am I stalking myself?
Through this Godless place
I hear the name of Jesus everywhere
His teachings long forgotten.
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