A glistening pond, in a forest wide,
a boy, with caution and courage in stride,
saw his reflection and stooped to confide,
"I don't have to be afraid of the night."

Stirred by his words, his reflection replied,
"Long have I worried in stillness and fright.
What if the fruit in the trees is too high?
What if the morning does not bring new light?"

The boy said, "I do not need to climb trees.
Fruit on the branches is shaken by breeze.
It falls in my hands, and I've taken my knee,
so I know, light or not, the ground is beneath."

"What if your breeze makes you freeze to your death?"
the boy's reflection nervously said.
"What if the ground falls apart, and you're left
falling through darkness and danger to heck?"

"My clothes keep me warm, and the ground is still firm.
And before our discussion takes a wrong turn,
Suffice it to say," said the boy to his mind,
"I don't have to be afraid of the night."

08/01/2024

Posted on 08/01/2024
Copyright © 2024 Ryan Nardi