Saturday, August 15, 2009

Fugitive Dreamer

I too have felt a fugitive's fear
Terror of footsteps drawing near
A hunter's tread on the forest track
Bid you flee and not look back
'Lest your nightmare should appear

Beating wings and heart's distress
Pulled down to the earth to rest
Hidden deep in leafy mold
Protection not just from the cold
Above the world on the rocky crest

And yet, safety eludes the night
The woods below disgorge a light
Voices thunder from the dark
So sure are they to close their mark
Who silently gasps, shrinks out of sight

The crevice is cold, the wind whips high
Sequestered I hear my guardian die
They swamp the ledge--I hold my breath
Their heavy boots resound with death
One pauses, turns to catch my eye

Chilling fear snatches my breath away
Knowledge that I'll die this day
A single second left to act
Freeze still, my liberty intact,
Compassion, before he turns away

Still shocked to stillness by his eyes
My capture takes me by surprise
Assassin's hand a hammer sledge
Suddenly flung aloft from the ledge
Wings beating frozen starlit skies

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