Green

 

 

Upon entering the clearing

I came upon an aged man

“Who are you? Why are you here?”

I asked.

“I care for the forest,”

He replied.

I stayed here, with him

For a number of days

That I cannot remember.

One night at full moon he left

For the deep woods

I followed him

And watched as he transformed

Olive skin jade hair

His feet became thick

And rooted into the earth

The trees began swaying

And a collage of animals

And midnight creatures

Gathered around him

Starting at a low hum he sang

And after several moments

Rose to a full scream

That was beautiful and eerie

Clouds came from the hills swiftly

And grew dark until

No light could be seen

But for his eyes

Glowing fiercely

Then came the rain

It left an inch of moisture on the floor

Of the entire forest

What I saw next

I swear to have a trick of my eyes

A ghostlike figure on an

Indescribably lovely woman

Rose from the grasses

And embraced the man

Smiling and made love to him

Then she spoke two words

“Thank you”

And vanished as quickly as the

Dawn’s new light melted the fog

And day had begun

I awoke next to him

Where we had first met

And he looked at me and said,

“I care for the forest,

You have been chosen to replace me,

For she has seen that your heart is good.”