Stopping in a Forest Clearing

One autumn morning I stepped forward
and found myself in a deep forest glade.
I knew of no path behind me
for I had chosen that day to run free
and explore the spinney, as a child may;
to learn of the grove that lay beyond
my most familiar orchard.

In this fey clearing I sat and began to speculate
as to what divine mistake led there to be
such a clear-cut break in these woods.
Not long had my day-dreams to percolate
before I found myself hearing the distant bay
of a pack of hounds making their way to
this strange opening in the forest I'd found.

The dogs all leapt and greeted me
in a manner only canines could.
Then stranger still, a man came forth;
Grinning, he stepped from the wood.
"Excuse me," he said, his eyes aglow,
"but what is your business here?
It's seldom I see a boy in the wood
with Samhain drawing near."

"If it please you, sir," I began to say,
"a curious walk I began today;
if you could point out the homeward path
I will be on my way."

"My boy, this clearing is a magical place
and this a liminal time of year.
There is no straight-forward way for you to leave;
you're rather stuck I fear.
No matter what direction you walk in
the path will be yours to wend
and no matter what you see along the way
you'll arrive at only one end.
Every step must have a clear intention,
a torch burning in your thoughts,
lest you find yourself ever circling,
returning to the selfsame spot."

Unabashed, I shook his hand,
and I set off with the sun at my back.
Confidence, and the will to continue
made up for the insight I lacked.

An old man later told me
of an important fork in his woods.
He said he couldn't see down either path
from the vantage where he stood.
But he made up his mind, as I did too;
we'll walk our paths forever.
And when I think upon that fateful choice,
I believe I made it for the better.