The Contract Broken

Sea of trees, expanse of green
expressed appearance of the serene
conceals the realm underneath
where the paths are a retreat
and interlopers have remarked
the veil is thin within the glens
whispers heard are not unknown
chill reminder of lives expired.

Don't step beyond the common path
past the sign forbidding doom
this meek attempt to stay the hand
set to walk where all must land
'just a stroll' would be their ruse
camping where the joyless group
hanging lines back to the day
lost from sight when night descends.

Umbrellas once held to stave the rain
no longer needed, cast away
collect the tears from angel's sorrow
they hope to cleanse what’s now fallen
the hard dark earth nurtures growth
succulence from sorrows' font
poured to depths in craggy caves
to be supped by those betrayed.

It's little use, the die is cast
honor asks for nothing less
by the rope or by the pill
March calls the lost into the woods
this reservoir of the lost souls
society has reaped this crop
sowed in the forest to be taken
by their hand, the contract broken.

© 2018. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20180104.

"The Contract Broken" is about the Aokigahara, a forest northwest of the majestic Mount Fuji.