Walking

Walking beyond the farmer's home
up a steep incline,
into a dark wood where mushrooms sprung.
I picked some.
A criminal act, an error, a sin.
I dropped them;
watched them fall to the ground and tumble down.

Then I reached where I was going.
A bittersweet building
or was it a ship?
In the darkness, no thing was sharp.

Here, I knew where I had to be,
which floor..
But so many entries,
so many doors..
I chose the wrong one.

Inside, a ship surpassing all.
A floating castle of souls
so cleverly disguised, for sure.
I could go with that, for now.

But the people here, I knew them all.
Friends, relatives, the rest.
All were from the past,
involved in spirited conversation.
Or alone.

A door was open, a wedding beyond,
the bride in her flawless dress
whispering to a girlfriend,
the veil still hung about her face.
I know who you are, I thought,
I know your name.

Still, searching for the stranger I was here to meet,
I walked through thin corridors,
up steep steps.
It wasn't obvious how to get there
but with persistence, I did.

And there she was, behind her desk.
Just fill in a few forms
and you can go through for the interview.
In a lost space, people huddled,
watching.
But I didn't feel graceless,
having arrived so late.
Simply numb.

After the form filling I waited there,
her voice without expression,
for the interview I should pay..
Pay for the interview?
I asked a simple question
and she left to find an answer
which is when I quietly slipped away.

Down the steep stairs,
(I lost my shoes)
along the narrow corridors,
back to the wedding area.
People were loud now,
laughing, animated, so huge they were!
I glanced about.
And left.

Easily I found the gate to the wood,
the rain remaining; night ivory black.
My feet were soaking.
I found the spot where I'd dropped the mushrooms
and sat,
facing away from the ship.
Facing...

Below, in the distance, a shape apparent,
the farmer's off-white cottage.
The lights warm,
the drone of machinery
winding down.

And I sat,
still as the still wind,
my whole being soaked as the earth about it.
And smiled.