Hidden Forest

                Hidden Forest

On moon covered hillcrest I overlook valley                          
A moment reflection allows me to dally.                              
Swift spur to my horse and I jump over tali                    
Pursuing the hunt running through wooded alley.           

Trails are empty inside Hidden Forest.                              

My cloak crisply flapping, a banner of green                    
And against the foliage my silhouette seen                    
But only by the beasts with eyes that are keen                    

These foes are the ones I am hunting.                              

With daylight expended, no golden rays guide                                 
Peripheral senses on now I rely                                        
To find out the burrow where beasts try to hide                    
To avoid riding home dangling at my side.                    

Carried forth from inside Hidden Forest.                              

Quivers stand up erect inside slung leather sheath          
Confidence on my brow sits there proud like a wreath                    
Masquerade doubts and fears buried just underneath          

Hid far from the ones that I’m hunting.                              

A rustling sound leaps forth over the brush                    
And branches bend back with leaves green and so lush.          
My prey is close now and my heart gives a rush.                    
Blood flows through my face, it revealing a flush.          

Tests my mettle inside Hidden Forest                              

My bow is brought up and the quiver pulled taut                    
Awaiting with patience the prey I have sought                    
To ride on my saddle as prize I have caught                    

The beast that I long have been hunting.                              

Beyond the brush cover a silver-lined brook                    
A womanly specter that caused me a look.                    
Pulled I to her side as though pierced by a hook.                    
My senses are bruised by surprise they were took.          

Lying waiting inside Hidden Forest.                              

The current ran over her fingers and palm.                    
Her presence brought over me unnatural calm.                    
While trees stood their guard of us singing a psalm          

Of learning the dangers of hunting.                              

I pulled off my cap with a sweep of its feather                    
Unbuckled my sheath and I laid down the leather          
Her lavender garments made jealous the heather                    
The look in her iris, my tongue it did tether                    

If tried speaking inside Hidden Forest.                              

Her hair hung o’re shoulders like running cascade          
The hem of her dress by deft imps had been made          
The cut of her bodice should have been forbade                    

To anyone in the wood hunting.                                        

I offered gloved hand to assist her in rising.                    
For sitting on earthen can be compromising.                    
A plan to undo me she’s plainly devising.                    
Position of hands that she’s quickly revising                    

To upend me inside Hidden Forest.                              

She spoke in strange tongue that pulled both of us near.          
A Murmuring promise I bent close to hear                                      
Assurances made to dismiss all my fear                              

Of laying so close to the hunted.                                        

She loosened my straps and let fall down my cloak          
She wore down my barriers under the oak.                    
She did it all while giving wink to her folk                    
Who’s habit was often to viciously coax                              

Wandered souls lost inside Hidden Forest.                    

Her fingers danced nimbly ‘cross unshielded skin          
She claimed jurisdiction here inside her den.                    
A bewildered ranger could never defend                              

Against a trap sprung by the hunted.                              

Each stitch of my clothing she put to the test.                    
To bend to her wishes her only request.                              
On blanket of leaves there was no chance for rest.          
Each secret I knew she induced me confess.                    

While she had me inside Hidden Forest.                              

My cunning was lost and my mind became dull                    
From sweet touch of flesh and her hideaway lull                    
It gave me no chance to think, ponder or mull                    

That I had been snared by the hunted.                              

On turf lay about me my garments and trappings                    
Beside babble brookside she left me there napping.          
To dream of the water o’er stones quickly lapping.                             
My will and my vigor she’s secretly sapping.                     

Under cover inside Hidden Forest.                              

Awoke just in time to witness her dancing                    
Across silver water and there she was prancing                    
Alone in the glen, my bruised heart she was lancing.          

A fate that is fit for the hunted.                                        

I gathered my sidearm and straightened my vest.                    
To rise from the ground my weak knees I did test.          
To see if they answer my mind’s firm behest                    
To carry me quickly from enchantress nest                    

Buried deeply inside Hidden Forest.                              

I journey home weary with shoulders hung low                    
Pray others don’t learn what I painfully know                    
If into the forest for hunting you go                              

The hunter will soon be the hunted.