Woodencloak

after Rebecca Gayle Howell

from the Norwegian folktale, Katie Woodencloak

Running was never my first choice.

You are stronger than I am,

pulling us through the brass wood like it was always where we were going.

The woods seem endless from your safe shoulders.

You are stronger than I am, but

I was not reared to snap like a twig, but to sway, like an oak.

The woods seemed endless from your safe shoulders.

My mantle is bronze leaves as we move through an empire.

I was not reared to snap like a twig, but to sway, like an oak.

Your spirit pooled into me like dew.

My mantle is bronze leaves as I move through my empire.

Running was never my first choice.