Into the Woods

Hope sparked by a bright field. Sorrow, the woods.
We caution children, Don’t go in the woods.

The old knight survived three fire-breathing
dragons. Was felled by a foe in the woods.

The sun’s reborn during the longest night.
Though Frost’s iambs tell us, in snow, the woods

are lovely, dark, and deep, predators keep
their own promises. Eyes glow in the woods.

On the blue onesie, a Superman S.
On the pink, I Hate My Thighs. Oh, the woods

are full of monsters but our homes hold more.
The news repeats its tale of woe –- the woods,

the blood-stained glove. Years safe, still Hansel and
Gretel live in the shadow of the woods.

How many married years before I learn
your body the way my dogs know the woods?

Sharks never sleep. The rapist scans the night-
club. Hunters track a wounded doe. The woods

thicken as sunlight fades. In dreams, Stone flies
then plummets to the world below the woods.