extrasensory necessity

 
I don't know this forest
with its steel & concrete spines
where winds whistle a lonely call
a haunting so chilling
despite the crowd around me
...I always walk alone
oppressive shadows press me down
stretching across littered tracks
glowing eyes directing patterns
the constant stop & go of it all
and the wails...the screams
of injured & dying things
as predator meets unwary prey
I am but one of many
where absolute darkness whispers death
...or worse
be suspicious of beckoning branches
stay the course
do not step off the well lit path
danger may await in the unseen
no...I do not know this forest
but I worry that it knows me
knows my doubts & my fears
thrives on the salt of my tears
how my heart pounds & knees tremble
voice kept low so no one will hear
trying like hell to maintain anonymity
gods...how its malevolence haunts me
yes...I'm afraid...
and I know...
it's willing to use that against me
with its myriad shady lanes & cloak shrouded beings
air thick with smoke & toxicity
the spritely songs of birds entirely drowned out
...by more sinister sounds
nothing much seen above this heavy canopy
just glimmers & flashes of teasing light
will-o-wisps of a desperate mind
always just upon the horizon
& still too far to reach
like hope on a frozen night
present...but intangible
nothing to do...
...but keep going