These forest paths overgrown
made for beasts
trampled in
their scurrying
Whip-back branches snapping
brambles pricking
Spider thread
driving panic
Noises off in dim light
could be massive
could be mighty
could be mouse
Emerging into a clearing
or at least
an apology
for its memory
These once were gardens
now gone to seed
fallen leaves
uncleared
A crumbling edifice
barely held together
desiccated mortar
long-growth ivy
Broken, dark windows suck
daylight inside
reflecting none
a darkness like death
Now comes a voice
a moan
a sigh
a warning
Now comes new noise
Slithering
sliding
approaching
Now comes the fear
as evening swamps
this ancient
monolith
The night can hold wonders
so very far
from wonderful
Such terrors
Ivy leaves rustle
slight breeze
clearing
forest canopy
Ivy leaves rustle
but can’t hide the approach
in the void
behind windows
Ivy leaves rustle
I fear the path
disappeared
were I to turn
Transfixed in this stance
legs immovable stone
tree trunks
rapid roots
Accelerating it surges
through dark
ancestral halls
ever closer
Bracing for onslaught
Tree trunk legs
unprepared
insufficient
All imagination howling
escape before
time passes
hope bereft
In darkening shadows
This ancient shrine
All broken stucco
twisted vines
Ivy leaves rustle
Steadfast legs
The cataclysm
inevitable
From the prompt: “beneath the ivy, something ancient stirred”
Leave me a prompt and I’ll write you a little something 🙂
