She Lied

I look up at The Moon, and The Moon stares back.

I can’t escape Her gaze, but I find I don’t want to,

She looks kindly, She keeps watch,

I walk safely on. Guided by Her gaze.

I’ve always loved these woods at night.

The path is not always clear, but

She always leads me home. Eventually.

She likes to watch me wander, though,

likes to see me lost.

She leads me home, but wants me to explore,

She always takes her time. She speaks, sometimes,

“You are safe, child,” She said,

“I will watch over you, child,” She said,

“This place will not be kind to you,” She said,

“But it has been so long since I’ve had company.”

She scares me, sometimes. She says She means well,

that She is my only way home.

This time, I don’t believe Her. I tell her as such.

She doesn’t like that.

I wake up alone – I forgot to draw the curtains.

The blankets are on the floor, and I’m drenched in sweat,

but The Moon stares down at me, and I look back.

I shut my curtains. I sleep, and She cannot find me.