I chose the photo to go with this poem, but the poem was written by a friend of one of my sons. I met him a couple times. I saw this poem posted on another blog, and I liked the poem so much. However, I felt like the blog I saw it on disrespected the poet by including personal thoughts, feelings, and convictions about the poem in the post, therefore taking away from the poem, and possibly, influencing a negative attitude toward the poem in some readers. I wanted to present the poem just as the young man wrote it to allow readers to ponder it and come to their own interpretations and conclusions, the way poetry is meant to be.

Therefore, I contacted the young man and asked his permission to share the poem, and he granted me permission. I hope you will enjoy this poem as much as I do.

I do apologize that it is not properly typed in stanzas. I tried to do that and attempted to correct it several times to no avail.

Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash

Elara’s Path by Tristen

Elara was a dreamer, with stars in her eyes,

Chasing whispers of wonder beneath twilight skies.

A world beyond the meadows, where shadows softly call,

She stepped through velvet curtains, where dreams and dangers fall.

Oh, Elara, sweet Elara, don’t stray too far from home,

The forest hums with secrets, where wild things freely roam.

Hold tight to what you know, dear, don’t trust the fleeting light,

For beauty hides the thorns that bloom beneath the starless night.

The trees began to shimmer, with voices soft and sweet,

“Come dance within our circle, where time and magic meet.”

Their laughter wove a tapestry of silver, gold, and flame,

Each step pulled Elara deeper, forgetting her own name.

Oh, Elara, brave Elara, the path is not your friend,

The rivers sing of freedom, but lead to bitter ends.

Turn back before the shadows claim the heart you hold so dear,

The world you chase is hungry, it feeds on hope and fear.

The moonlight carved a doorway, through mist and tangled vines,

Where spirits whispered promises in soft, hypnotic rhymes.

“Stay here, we’ll crown you queen,” they sang with honeyed breath,

But Elara saw the flicker—cold eyes that spoke of death.

Oh, Elara, wise Elara, you’ve seen the truth unfold,

The stories that they weave are not the ones you’re told.

Run fast, the dawn is breaking, the light will guide you home,

Through forests full of peril, where wild things call you home.

With courage in her heartbeat, she tore through night’s embrace,

The thorns reached out to hold her, but none could slow her pace.

Back to the world she knew so well, where love and safety lay,

Elara left the shadows, to greet the break of day.

Oh, Elara, strong Elara, you’ve walked where few return,

The fire in your spirit, forever it will burn.

No forest can contain you, no dream can chain your soul,

For Elara’s heart is boundless, and now she’s finally whole.