Beyond the Gate

At the end of a narrow winding road an old
wooden gate lay broken

and hanging loosely on one rusty hinge,

in the centre of a low stone wall

some unseen force was beckoning me,
drawing me closer and encouraging me

to pass through the narrow opening

What would be revealed beyond the gate?

would I find a beautiful landscaped garden

or would there be an overgrown wilderness

beneath gnarled old trees and tangled undergrowth.

Maybe I might find hidden treasure

and long forgotten secrets

just waiting to be revealed.

Entering through the opening

I was delighted to find a narrow path

which led me along to a peaceful

corner place, where I could rest in a shady space

between two trees, their branches overhead

entwined in embrace!

I sat down and lent back against a rock

quietly observing my surroundings and

heaved a sigh as I once again felt safe!

The gentle warmth of the sun's rays

beamed down highlighting various parts

of the garden bringing untold delight

as I saw roses growing in profusion

on an old wooden archway

their scent wafting through the air

and across to me, intoxicating my senses.

From my shoulder bag

I removed a pen and paper

in readiness to sketch

a brilliant coloured Butterfly

that I saw fluttering above

a clump of bright blue Agapanthus

where it briefly settled.

The sun's warmth enveloped me and I felt myself

drifting slowly to sleep and floating aloft on a fleecy

white cloud, away from the traumas I had faced

a few hours earlier when a little man with a pointy nose

and a soft caressing voice had been trying to lure me

into his arms, a place I did not wish to be!

He had taken hold of me to hug close,

I screamed at him to leave me alone

and tugged and pushed and yelled some more,

eventually freeing myself from his vice-like clutches

enabling me to run away.

I had been so afraid and hadn't stopped running

until I had seen the open gate

ahead and run inside to hide.

I floated peacefully

then suddenly there appeared

before me a beautiful woman

dressed in a long blue gown

her brown hair flowing about her shoulders

as she walked towards me smiling and with her arms

outstretched in greeting in readiness to enfold me.

By her side walked a fluffy white cat,

Snow Queen what are you doing here?

I cried in delight!

Meow, meow called the Queen of Cats

we heard your cries for help

and have come to guide you safely back home!

Oh! thank you Queen I have been so scared!

to be continued AMJB 10- 5 -2008