The Hunter

I was kidnapped by a madman
almost as crazy as I
Pulled into a sack
hands bound thinking why.

each jostle of the cart
equaled one jostle inside
until I reached the point
I wished I had died,

wet leaves in my nose
the scent of decay around
my breath and the rustling
of his feet the only sound.

Then the gentle whisper
of a cool mountain spring
falling down as I had
slowly working the string

His face away and
my eyes ahead
the burning to live
hadn't gone dead

gathering my nerves
my hands partially free
carefully standing up
my back against the tree

off in the woods, nowhere
to go and nowhere to be
My life flowing before
my eyes want to see

footsteps close behind
muffled by my sweat
pushing me farther ahead
not wanting even one regret

I jump into ice
my skin screams
my head floats
and my mind dreams

hazy view of defeat
angry face of tears
on the banks of a
river, worn for years

minutes, Hands grappling
at loose soil
wanting to rest after
so much toil

The heart still
pounding away
running to the one--
place I can't stay: