
Eddie Fogler
Out of the Woods
Come find me
a Whisper giggles
as it travels through the forest
chasing my footsteps
its laughter echoes
across the cackling leaves
growing in boldness
taking my missteps
as chances to nip at my heels
I stumble
along the splattered shadows
of the maze-like gauntlet
twisted branches beat
and claw at my body
stripping me down
to little human scraps
but the Whisper
still recognizes me
under the bloody camo
Come find me
it taunts and taunts and taunts
I nod to the
trees and bushes
I’ve met before
but they continue
to keep the sun a secret
night keeps me company
on my next round
and pushes me
to lap the Whisper
and begin to chase its giggle
the bones of my hands
almost grasping its tail end
but it dodges each attempt
so the remainder of myself
stays lost in the forest
finding nothing.