On An Enchanted Winter's Night

On a cold winter's night
when the virgin snow fell upon the grass
giving birth to a world of white
I had a feeling of deep longing
I needed something
yet I knew not what it was

the red rose I held
turned black in my cold hands
I hadn't a clue where I had gotten it
but something told me
to step foot into the forest
of horrors
and of wonders

my cloak offered much warmth
as it rested upon my shoulders
my boots made little noise
as I ventured into the darkness

In a trance I walked
deeper and deeper
not knowing where I was headed
not knowing what I was after

now no sane person would have dared enter alone
especially at night
especially on a winter's night
where ravenous beasts lurked
and deadly enchantments ran free
none have ever come back out the same
and I should have realized
that I wouldn't either

yet within that forest
there was something I needed
I just had to find it
and find it I did

the round moon
shed it's ghostly light
upon the weaving path I took

faint music soon reached my ears
at first i was doubtful
but as I came closer
I was assaulted by beauty
like no other

the music
it was beautiful
so upbeat and lyrical
my pace quickened
eager to join in

soon I saw the shiny lights
and heard the airy laughter
that rang through the clearing
as clear as bells

dancers moved at paces so fluid
that it was inhuman
up on the trees
beautiful fey-like beings played instruments
from flutes to lutes
from drums to violins

flowers were abundant
and the grass was a deep green
winter had no hold
upon this world of life

feeling quite stifled
I shrugged off my cloak
and the most beautiful woman I have ever seen
with hair like starlight
and eyes like coal
beckoned me to eat
and to drink the delicious wine
and to dance with a man
that captured my heart with a glance

grinning, she joined our hands
and flitted off to enjoy
the other festivities

forgetting the stories I had learned
we danced and we twirled
looking into his beautiful golden eyes
I knew I had found
what I was searching for

I felt as if I belonged
and throughout that enchanted night
I began to change
my movements lighter and swifter
my eyes sharper
every sound enhanced to ultimate clarity

the wine I had drank
must have clouded my memory
for one moment we were dancing
and the next on a balcony
overlooking the great forest

I have never known love
but I saw it in his eyes
we fell for each other
so instantaneously

"I've been waiting for you"
he murmured against my lips
before tenderly kissing them
his fingers caressing  
the back of my neck

I ran my fingers through his black hair
perfectly molding into him
nothing had ever felt so right
and never again would I go back
to my life of suffering
of pain and death

"Will you stay here with me?"
he whispered in my ear
"yes" was my immediate answer
knowing deep down
that I would finally be happy
forever