Follow the Thread – A Poem

I wandered round and round in circles not knowing where I was going. Around me all was darkness and I could not see what was in front of me. Above me I heard the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze, and around me the touch of the wind on my skin. As I walked, I wept, distraught in spirit, distressed in soul, bereft of hope, longing for yet fearing… him. 

  I, Giselle, had loved him and he had loved me. 

We’d walked beside the river together hand in hand and shared our hopes and dreams. 

We had a dispute. 

I had been an ass. 

I had run away, run from the one I love the most, run from the pain, buried in shame. 

Into the darkness, into the night, I ran with all my might. 

He called to me to come home but full of pain and grief an shame I ran still further. 

  But now… now I wept as I thought of him, thought of his love, imagined his arms holding me, his gentle voice forgiving me. 

I thought of going home again but could not find my way. 

I thought of crying out to him but he was too far away. 

All I could do was struggle on and hope he would come and find me. 

But would he, would he love me still? 

Would he forgive me indeed? 

Would he restore our fellowship, or would he cast me away? 

My man, my man, I longed for him, longed to come home. 

  Suddenly, I saw a light shining ahead. 

I moved towards it feeling out for trees. 

The light flickered and grew brighter. 

I wondered what it was. 

It glowed white and beautiful and pure. 

I came close and bent down to examine it.

Then I started and jumped back, for what I saw in the light startled me. 

Was this real? 

Was I seeing things? 

I examined the light again. 

Yes, it was still there. 

Small words glowing in the light as if melded in. 

“You can always go home”, it read.

“Go home?” I thought. 

Is that not what I am trying to do? 

But how can I find my way in this dark wood? 

I do not wish to be lost in here. 

And as I thought, 

I panicked. 

Then started again, 

for the words in the light had changed. 

This time they read, “Follow the thread.” 

Follow the thread? What thread? 

Suddenly, I stumbled sideways and fell into what felt like a rope strung between two trees. 

In the darkness I felt it and realized it went on through the dark wood. 

“So if I follow this,” I thought to myself, “I shall find my way home?” 

I knew not whether to trust it or not but yes, yes, I would. 

But wait, there were new words in the bright and beautiful light.

“Hope, dear heart.” 

  With these words in my heart I began to follow the rope, on, on, on through the trees of the dark wood. 

Nothing could I see, all was dark to me. 

But I trusted and followed the thread, carrying that light of hope in my heart. 

Suddenly, I stumbled over a root on the wood floor and with a scream fell to my knees. 

But gropped out for the rope and grasped it again and with it pulled myself to my feet. 

I followed the rope still further and then I stumbled again.

This time, I fell to the ground and scraped a hole in my stocking. 

I began to cry as I hoped the wound would not bleed. 

Again the rope was there to pull me to my feet. 

On, on, on, I went not letting go of the rope for a moment. Where was it leading me though? 

Would it indeed lead me home? 

I felt afraid. 

   Suddenly, a warm glow passed through the trees I saw, orange and pink and bright. 

I realized the dawn had come twas the passing of the night. 

My heart leapt with hope as I held still to the rope and knew that home was near 

and I had naught to fear. 

The rope ended suddenly and sunshine warmed my face. 

I looked and saw the way out of this terrible place. 

I up and ran then limped from the pain in the scrape in my knee.

I could now see which way to go, for home was not far away.

   Home was in sight, what joy! What relief! 

My man would hold me soon. 

Then fear gripped my heart. 

Would he welcome me and let me in? 

Or in anger would he push me away? 

I deserved the latter, I knew so, for I had been an ass. 

But I also knew that he was a good and kind gentleman. 

Slowly, I made my way to the door. 

I knocked. 

It opened. 

He was waiting for me. 

And lovingly he held me in his arms. 

With him at last. 

All was well. 

All manner of things shall be well.