The Tangled Forest

Under shackle, chain, and cuff they go

The long walk on a desolate path

Yet, if the choice be freely given

No man, not even the strongest

Nor woman, nay, not even the boldest

None dare to enter the darkness

But the choosing comes without choice

Certain souls are deemed to pay

A decision has already been made

The darkened pathway awaits

And the tangled forest remembers

Secrets slipping from their minds

Now engaged in judgement pay

Cursed they say – none knows the they

Ancestors from the ancient lands

Words and blood did seal the deal

A solemn pact with a chosen rising

Feed the forest, feed the demon

Lines were drawn, blood was drawn

Souls of the damned forever lost

Our prisons hold the payments due

The forest acts as guillotine

It holds the burdens of the wicked

Each pitiful grudge of the betrayers

Transgressions, inflictions, and infections

Memories of chaos, lust, and slaughter

And ignorance no excuse for quarter

Stray the path and pay the price

The scales of balance drive you in

Face your crimes and become your sin

The unapologetic will of nature begins

Twisted branches with blight and wither

Creeping vines that snake and slither

Pitfalls whisper under restless leaves

Rocks grow loose, pits crack open

Timber falls while lightning crashes

Eternity laughs with your endless fall

Down and deep and then beneath

Black sand gripping like death’s hand

Howling wolves to drive the madness

Unseen hands that steal your balance

Sights and sounds that test your steel

Will you crack or will you yield

As day turn night, the panicked fright

Running, stumbling, something coming

Demon laughing, swift and cunning

Claws will slash and whips will crack

Your soul the price, the ancient pact

No parole, no quarter, and no release

Your body shredded, piece by piece

Additional Reading

If you enjoyed The Tangled Forest and would like to read more by R.J. Schwartz, author of 4 books and owner of this website

His complete works on The Creative Exiles Website can be found here

The Gypsy Thread is a huge collection of his original work

Ralph also writes on HubPages

His author profile on Goodreads

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R J Schwartz

I write about everything and sometimes nothing at all.I'm fascinated by old things, rusty things, abandoned places, or anywhere that a secret might be unearthed.I'm passionate about history and many of my pieces are anchored in one concept of time or another.I've always been a writer, dating back to my youth, but the last decade has been a time of growth for me.I'm continually pushing the limitations of vocabulary, syntax, and descriptive phrasing.

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