From the forest

across a veil of mist

I hear his voice

a gentle whisper-like

song of words

somewhat like a touch

of hand on skin.

A soothing calm

heart melting

sweetness to the ear

and he was saying

my name

over and over.

I heard it through

the eyes of my

handsome moon lover

felt it on his lips

felt his breath

upon my neck

warm and tender

under a full moon

and sparks of fireflies

and Moon in silence.

I heard his voice

when he looked at me

in moonlight

when he wouldn't look at me

in daylight

when he hid

what he had done.



I heard his voice

in forest paths.

Dense tangled trails

of trees. flowers. life.

In this forest

they have created

a trap.

He speaks the lie.



He speaks through the eyes

of another one.

A beast whose mouth

smells of blood

and rot.

Its eyes are wild

and it snaps at me

dragging me to the ground

of its own hunger

and that is of devouring

the moon-lover

who looked at me

wouldn't he

couldn't he

look at me.

I've learned about fear

and pain

it's horror yes

my body shivers

under fur

under it

but there is rage there

too.

I have not named it

for myself.

He and it

try to do it for me.

But I will not let

him.



He speaks across

rivers of broken

bones and thick blood

claws that come from nowhere

on jaws of death and

thick sharp teeth.

Is this madness —

the madness of knowing

through the eyes of a hyena?

He was trying to fool me —

and I looked into his eyes

perhaps now I can escape him.

now I have looked back

seeing his face

twisted black snarling

bits of flesh

and strands of hair

I look to the sky

and see my fate

face covered with scars

and stained with blood

flows from the open wound

of my heart

to the earth

where it dries

and forms red stains

dull

and I shape them into a memory

of deep sorrow

nearly black.

His face has become mine

his voice in my head

as I look to the sky

the moon still shining

those are my eyes

full of moonlit tears

across the night air.

And I know

this madness

this human curse

this pain on my heart

and soul.

His voice fades from my

mouth

like smoke

and I understand.

I have seen the hyena

in the mirror of the water

when the sun makes

a reflection at dawn

and I can see myself

dying

across

a forest path

the madness of demons.

I did not look back in time.

And caught his eyes

in my own moonlight.

Threw myself on the grass

and ran and ran pp

until I could run

no more.

#Folklore #Africa #Love #poetry

© Sage Rage