Empty Storms

Empty storms

I have already past the ranger cabin.

I have escaped you for now.

I have lost you off my tail.

Footsteps instantly hide in visiting snow.

The abysmal dark of the wood flows through me.

My skin is whipped with the harshness winds.

That have grown this century.

Winter’s precipitation blows undirected,

Blinding me from my route

Jagged rocks and bone breaking stones,

Pass my way as I run.

As I run for my life.

As I run for my safety.

As I run for refuge in this never ending blanket of snow,

Piercing screams of the passing wind.

Drowning calls of the nightlife owls.

Echoing cracks of the branches and twigs.

Each step sank into another foot of snow.

Growing tired, I try to run faster.

Breathing struggles to keep up.

Labored heart beats push through my chest.

Pocket blizzards follow my steps.

Knots freeze in my stomach pulling me down.

Down to the freezing ground.

Down to the earth as freedom crushes above me.

Down to my inevitable death.

Pressure of the pulsing blood in my ears deafens me.

Senses getting lost. My eyes blur my vision.

Flames in my head, scorching my nerves.

In the freezing cold on top of this mounting my skin begins to sweat.

Each bead making me thirsty. Dehydration, a new enemy. 

With a bed of melting ice, I catch myself.

Letting it all fall from my mind and clear.

In a faint opening of the universe I hear you.

I hear the cracks of the twigs beneath your feet.

I hear your breath race from your mouth.

I hear you call my name.

I hear you say “Don’t worry, you’re safe now”