A rustling step sounds
on fallen needles of pine
above me
and behind.
At the top of the falls,
Where earth and water
meet the sky's horizon
stands a woman alone.
Draped in black,
shadowed against the setting sun,
a halo forms
around her flowing robes
as the breeze dances
about her feet.
The cloak falls back
against her shoulders
and fading sunlight
reveals a face
serene in its repose.
Her eyes reflected midnight,
laughter shone in her gaze
like stars.
Framed by graying locks,
beauty
worn by time.
A hand emerges
and beckons me,
Arise and Follow.
As I climb along the banks,
she turns
and slips silently
amongst the trees.
A trail of glowing footsteps
weaves a dance
deeper within the woods;
I follow.
The breeze fades
with fading light.
The trees cease
their sighing song
and cloak me
with deepening dusk.
Pacing the pearlescent prints,
the scent of pine rises
from my feet.
The path I follow
ends with the last light;
parting trees reveal
a starlight dusted glade.
There, in the center,
the woman sits
and beckons.
Her face is smiling
comfort and welcome
as the crescent moon
sets behind her head.
Rising,
she takes my hand.
Standing thus,
Mother and Child,
I gaze upon the heavens.
Dizzied by the endless depths of space,
eyes watering with its magnitude,
she lowers me gently
onto the dewy grass.
Stroking my hair
and caressing
my dampened cheeks,
she murmurs gentle words
of tender love.
In a forest glade glowing,
silent dew beading
on blades of grass,
I lay breathing softly
under the starry canopy
as beating hearts
and gazing eyes
flare with shooting stars.
With a rustling step
she rises,
silhouetted by dark trees
and bright stars.
Gathering her cloak
back against her shoulders,
She began to dance
upon the returning trail.
And rising, I dance.
Arms out flung, I spin.
Smiling, I slip silently
amongst the trees,
laughter shining in my eyes
like stars
and my footsteps glow
where I tread.
~Flame RavenHawk