I Entered a Dark Forest

29/02 – Poem a Day Compilation Bonus Poem



I stood at the edge of the forest

The sunlight barely filtering through

The wind gusted about me

And I wrapped my cloak around my shoulders



The basket I carried was heavy

Full of treats for my grandmother dear

Who lived all by herself

On the other side of the forest



I’d made this trip before

With my mother several times

And know they way off by heart

Even if it does look so very dark



I’d been warned about the creatures

Who live in the forest

And how they might try to tempt me

Away from the path before me



I was to ignore their plaintiff cries

And continue on my way

Straight to Grandma’s house

With no delay at all



As I ventured deep in to those woods

A wolf first howled then cried to me

Begging for some tasty treats

That surely wouldn’t be missed



But I remembered my mother’s warning stern

And kept right along the path

The wolf tracking right there with me

Hoping I’d change my mind



The wolf it was most cunning, though

And it snuck ahead of me

Arriving at my Grandma’s house

Before I was even near



It made its way into her room

And gobbled her up right there

Then lay upon her bed in wait

For me to walk through the door



The wolf did not look at all the same

As my Grandma’s gentle features

The ears, the eyes, the nose, the teeth

All certain give aways



I screamed my little heart up

Until I thought my lungs would burst

And a woodchopper working down the lane

Came running to help me out



He startled at the sight he saw

A wolf bigger than he’d ever seen

And me, a little girl wrapped up

Under the reddest cape there ever was



With one swift swipe he sliced the wolf

Straight down the front as it reared

And out stepped my Grandma

Without a scratch anywhere on her



The woodchopper took the wolf outside

And Grandma had a shower

She said she felt a little odd

From her ordeal inside the wolf



Then we three sat and had some treats

To calm our shaken nerves

And all agreed this story would

Never be believed

The Expedition

04/02/2021 – Poem a Day Compilation



A long time ago

Far, far away

A ship sailed for more

Than a year and a day



To find new lands

Discover new treasures

Uncover new cultures

Encounter new pleasures



The captain was smart

The most noble of men

Even moreso than the lords

Who sent him adventuring again



He searched not for fables

But real-world artifacts

That were listed in

Deeds and contracts



But, somehow, he was co-opted

Into a tale of mystery

His endeavours exploited

Passed down through history



Perhaps it was to discredit

A respected naval man

Out of spite and jealousy

Of his obvious elan



The fountain of youth elusive

To all who searched for it

And foisted upon those

Of whom it wasn’t in their remit



So, when you hear the tales of yore

Lend a sceptical ear

The stories may differ wildly

From what you actually hear