Wind whistles through the leaves
Whispering condemnations and judgments
Chattering, screeching, confusion
From above and all sides
As she stumbles through the woods
Roots of the established earth trip her
Almost as if with purpose
She does not take the time to brush off
The gathering dirt and debris
Increasing her burdens to bear
Lost alone afraid
Clutching what is hidden tightly in her hands
Reluctant to release yet knowing the necessity
She must find a place
Free from prying eyes
A towering tree proud with age and strength
How she wishes she could be
Is where she finally stops
Breath hitching and gasping for relief
Searching left and right to assure solitude
Kneeling down in the soft mossy earth
She digs with her fingers grasping desperately
Once at desired depth she reverently reaches for
Her hidden treasure
Taking one last long and pained look
She carefully sets her cloth-wrapped heart in the earth
Burying it beneath the watchful guardian
Where it will be safe and hidden
Until she decides to retrieve it
And so she walks away
Empty
-Me
