Get a Grip

The words you said caused my tears

I fought hard to forget my newfound fears

I took a tight grip on the cold iron handle

I walked out the door; my feet crush the leaves

I realize now nothing will ever change

Even with the coming and beauty of spring

I walk through the woods past the trickling spring

Faster and faster until the forest tears

Past me. I run to clear my thoughts the change

Already happening. Slowly my fears

Evaporate and only anger is left. Now the leaves

Whip against my face as I try to get a handle

Maybe I shouldn't have gripped the handle.

Slowing to a stop, sitting on a rock. A small noise and I spring

Up and run. Something chases me then leaves,

I'm not as strong as I thought and now the tears

Slide silently down my face. I thought I conquered my fears

In my pocket I hear a sound; a jingle of change

I wish I had thought to bring more change

My stomach growls. I need to get a handle

A grip. What will happen adds to my fears.

I start to turn back but stop and then spring

Off the rock and a fresh pain tears

Through my leg. I fall to the ground, the leaves

Breaking my fall. The fire in my leg only leaves

When I pass out. I wake to sudden changes

The sun set and as I move my leg a fresh pain tears

Through my leg. If only I had never gripped the handle.

I hear a slight noise but I can't spring

Up and away. So I sit here and face my fears.

The creature steps out from the bush, the very face of fears

With claws as long as branches and huge feet crushing leaves

I crawl over to the shining stream about to spring

In when the claws grab me. It's too late to see the change

In its eyes. The evil inside rising to the surface; I pull on the handle

Of a rusty dagger in the ground, I found, the beak pecks and tears

My leg open. I try to spring up but the change

In my leg won't allow it. My fears escalating, I grip the leaves

Trying to handle the pain. I finally give in. Here come the tears.