goatsgotohell

I wander slowly down a weed ridden path,
A long forgotton trail from my childhood.
The beauty of the woodland gradually surrounds me as I walk.
Deeper and deeper I venture forth into the trees along the path.
After some time I come to a clearing in the woods.
The sunlight breaks through the trees and shines apon a lone tree.
The old twisted tree in the middle of the clearing is still here.
Childhood memories flood my mind one after another.
Long forgot days of climbing this very tree shoot forth vividly.
A smile grows gradually from ear to ear as I think back.
I take a few steps forth into the clearing.
A squirrell scampers away as I approach.
Several birds call out to me with their spring time songs.
I notice a set of raccoon tracks on the ground.
I mutter to myself in a low tone,
"I wonder if old Gus the coon is still around".
As step closer and place my hand apon the bark of the old tree,
A large section of moss falls to the ground.
I barely notice the various bugs and insects scurry back under peices of bark and moss.
My eyes stay fixed souling apon an old carving in the bark.
A small heart carved into the tree's ancient bark with two sets of initials inside.
"Oh my lord" my lips mouth as read the initials.
A small tear runs down my cheek as I recall something in my mind.
I remember a young man and a beautiful young girl holding hands walking through the forest.
They come to a clearing the boy says he knows very well.
They smile at one another, tell jokes, and laugh as if they haven't a care in the world.
The young man pulls something out of his pocket, a small knife.
He strips away a big chunk of moss and bark and begins to carve.
The young girl's eyes light up as she realizes he has just carved their initials into the tree.
His eyes meet hers momentarily and he smiles.
He continues to carve away untill a rag tag heart surrounds the initials.
He looks at her proudly and asks,
"What do you think?"
Her only reply is a long kiss on his lips.
I awaken from my dream like state suddenly when a bird crys out rather loudly.
Tears are running down my face as I smile happily.
I pat the side of the tree and turn to walk away,
Stopping for a moment to pick a wildflower growing there.
I make my way back out of the woods,
Backtracking through the dense folage.
I realize something about today;
It's the first day my withered body hasn't required a cane to get around in many years.
I exit the woods and make my way to the taxi I was brought in.
"Take me to her", I say to the driver.
The car stops after a short drive down a gravel road.
I pay the man and make my way through a small white gate.
I kneel down painfully in front of a headstone.
My old wrinkled fingers trace the letters carved upon it.
I place the purple wildflower apon the grave and smile a little.
I lean closer and whisper softly,
"It's still there...after all this time...."
Tears stream down my face as I try to close my eyes tightly.
"I only wish you were here to see it with me."