Through Deep, Dark, and
Lovely Woods
By Vikram Madan
Despair not, O Weary Pilgrim
I too made the same mistake
Stopped and fell under the spell of
Easy wind and downy flake
Took a path that was less traveled
Through deep, dark, and lovely woods
Falling snow erased my footprints
I too was then lost for good…
Daylight gave in to the darkness
As did fortitude to fear
Fear to fright and fright to terror
When those voices reached my ear
Vile and vicious, harsh and hostile,
Reeking of pain and torment
Surely mortal tongues might never
Harbor so much ill-intent…
As the sounds grew ever closer
As my heart beat louder still
I saw shadows in the darkness
Lurking, lurching down a hill
Rough and ragged raspy breathing
Shuffles of demented feet
Hints of claws and fangs and maws and
Whiffs of rotten, spoiling meat…
Was that wind that tugged my collar
As I turned around to flee?
Were those roots that sent me
tripping?
Thorns that dug into my knee?
Could I be but more uncertain
Were those rocks that struck my head?
There is little I remember
Past that final sense of dread…
Despair not, O Weary Pilgrim
Even if prospects look grim
You too have been well surrounded
Chances of escape are slim
Heed my counsel, curb your anguish
When the end comes, do not fuss
Once your misery is over
You too shall be one of us…
Bonus Points: Spot the references to Robert Frost :)
