No Place Is Unknown to Darkness



'''1. In my longing For freedom In my native homeland, My soul finally broke Through the barriers Of my mortal frame. Each night, I soared free To destinations Strange and exotic. My nightly wanderings I later recalled In a leather-bound book Kept hidden from prying Police eyes.'''

''' 2. I did not know What sort of creature I was exactly Whenever I went On my nightly ventures. Perhaps a wraithlike vapor Or maybe even A bird. Whatever the result, I see the Same thing In a mirror or A pool of water— A delicate brown-skinned girl With golden eyes And snow-white hair. Instead of silken pajamas, I am Wrapped in Layers upon layers Of sky-blue feathers.'''

'''3. One day I was traveling Along a creek That meandered its way Through flower-filled meadows Bordered by conifers. Grapevines and roses Crowded clusters Of decrepit buildings. Stray peacocks, ducks And cats roamed about The thick grass.'''

'''4. I stopped At one such place That had an orchard In back. Climbing an apple tree, I wedged myself In between A thick branch And the trunk. It was late summer In these parts. The apples were ripening On all the trees. Though I Couldn’t eat them, My body was still In bed back In my world.'''

'''5. “One of these days,” I told myself moodily. “I’m going to summon Enough willpower To ship myself Completely here And live Like a hermit monk. I will Gather and hunt, And have Plenty of free time. Perhaps I’ll even adopt A few pets.”'''

'''6. I looked Off towards A range of mountains Which were An interesting blend Of shades of purple. I wonder If I could taste One of these apples; I’m feeling Kind of hungry Right now. That’s when A scaly hand Holding an apple Reached out From behind me And a sibilant Voice said, “I’ll be your pet, Fräulein.”'''