Alchemy Abound

Eyes are wide with wonder as I walk

this trail amidst an ancient wood,

whose trunks and branches betray

the years that they have stood.

As I take stock of where I am

and look all around,

lenses fall from my eyes

and I see creatures abound.

They unfold from the rocks and trees,

the bumps and eyes in wood,

morphing, uncurling and unfurling

from within their hidden hood.

And to a place of sanctuary

I am led along a green path;

by a dwarf with long beard

who takes me to his hearth,

and kisses my lips with whispers

in a language that I know, yet cannot tell.

He points to a mobile hanging,

before he says his farewell.

I look and each blue object

appears to breathe,

and the slight movements

show that each is wreathed.

Wings emerge and to the air

take a thousand blue butterflies,

in such slow motion that each

wingbeat is seen by my eyes.

I never saw that place again,

and I miss the trees growing from the ground,

I miss the creatures hidden in bark and stone,

I miss the magic and alchemy abound.