The Dark Forest

A Poem

I'm alone in the dark forest
the moon, high in the midnight sky
is my only source of light.
There is no sound but the rustle of leaves
beneath my weary weary feet.
The wind blows slightly, ever-so slightly, 
so that the leaf-barren branches above
resemble creeping, withered hands.

Then I hear it.
The sound of a stick snapping from behind.
My body is frozen with fear.
In the distance I can hear them.
The howls of mysterious things 
that lurk within the shadows.
I turn and can see the glowing eyes
that pierce through the darkness.

I run, panicking.
Cold sweat bursts from my brow,
and my frightened heart hammers in my chest.
I can hear the growls of something behind me.
I dare not look back.
It wants me to see it.
It wants me to know it's there.
I stop and hide behind a tree.

As I breathe and sweat profusely,
I pray that it does not find me
standing alone with fright.
The wind blows and a branch taps my shoulder.
I look, and behold the horror!
It is no branch, but a monstrous, clawed hand
reaching for my neck.
I scream.

Above, I see the tree has transformed.
It is no tree, but a monster
towering over me like a giant
staring down at me with burning eyes.
I stumble and trip to escape its clutches.
The howls of the night creatures invades my ears.
I wonder if this night will ever end.
Will I ever escape from the dark forest?