The path to the cave starts innocently enough
with a sign full of useful information
in broad daylight, blue skies
a fulfilling breakfast–
eggs & potatoes perhaps, fruit in season
Before you know it
you can hardly remmeber the color of berries
or the sound of the river
Bats reign here
and the dominant thoughts
are of your bed and that last meal
Feel the shape of those walls
textured by the smooth slink of years
wet with mysterious things
you’d rather not know
To either side, tunnels to treaures
or traps
There’s no way to know
and no sure way out
other than following the scent of your voice
The deeper you spelunk
the brighter the darkness
Inside there a light lives
Hardpains, sweet pains
nectars maybe, but first the cuts
both slow and quick
deaths
Sometimes monsters and
the secret password
are the same thing
Of course, you can avioid the path altogether
by staying “at home”
But don’t think the cave is avoidable.
Or are you one who believes in light
without darkness?
Trailheads without wounded trailfeet,
mountain views without valleys?
Oh, what an imagination!
Come now!
Carve your beautiful, dark cave
and then come home, my friend
with well-earned feet and a heart that knows
