Sometimes

Sometimes she goes deep into the woods to dance. Sometimes it’s just her and the one who lives in the darkest part of the forest.

Sometimes she dances there, among the autumn leaves, and they swirl and fly around her. And the one who lives in the darkest part of the forest, watches her.

Sometimes she sees his eyes, brilliant green as the young leaves and sharp grasses, and sometimes his smile flashes in the shadows.

Sometimes she wonders if he knows her name, and the wind whispers the answer in her ear.

Sometimes he looks at her with sadness, as if he knows too well the fickle nature of the mortal soul. Here today and gone tomorrow, as the children of the trees that follow the songs of the wind.

Sometimes he sees her as she is- young and free, careless and light, as the sunshine, that paints the trees in gold.

Sometimes she steps too close to him, and breathes in the fragrance of the woods. Thyme, sage, rosemary and oak moss, basil and juniper, wild lavender and rowan berries.

Sometimes he leans too close to her, and her scent overpowers him to follow and linger, to haunt and enchant. Daffodils, primroses, meadowsweet and oak flowers, flax and chamomile, apple blossom and honey.

Sometimes they walk hand in hand through the woods, but not too close to the edge. Where the shadow becomes light, he cannot go. Where the darkness thickens, she cannot venture.

Sometimes they embrace – the king of the forest and the witch, and the woodlands fill with magic. Birds sing the sweetest, and fae watch their king in awe for it has been thousands of years since he last fell in love.

Sometimes he wishes to follow her, or she wants to stay- but daylight forbids it, and the night time is too short in summer.

Sometimes the world stops to see them dance- the king of the forest and his witch, dark green against the white, coal black against auburn.

Sometimes he cries – but she never sees it, as she makes her way back. Her tears are her own, and nobody knows she cries each night.

Sometimes he wishes to be mortal, but such wishes are never granted. The king of the forest is forever. The king of the forest is forever alone.

Sometimes.