Post by ScarletMornings on Apr 29, 2005 13:34:11 GMT -8
Strange things happen in Forest Dark,
where shadows creep on tiptoe
as they go in for the kill.
Carry a light.
Worse than any of Snow White’s delusions,
the trees have fangs, blood-stained daggers
clutched by the ghosts of dryads rotted away.
Pray the gods favor you.
The Cretaceous not so far removed,
so watch the swamps, the marshes,
their red eyes usually give them away.
Hope you are ugly.
Catch a glimpse of the Echo unheard,
mad with revenge and wild-eyed with unvented fury,
the wild narcissuses of her bed still clinging to her back.
Hera is not an ideal look.
Watch for the spirits of pagan worship,
sacrifices to the god of the bog,
for a good harvest.
Farmers are not welcome.
Tread carefully in still quicksilver water,
Charon does not take kindly if you’ve no coin,
and are not Greek or dead.
Wish you are Achilles.
Be especially careful of the ashes,
Yggdrasil leads to places worse than Forest Dark,
and it misses the Vikings of old.
Fierceness will get you lost.
Don’t forget that wolves prowl here,
loping through the darkness,
yellow eyes narrowed in revenge, cunning.
Do not wear red.
You may find crumbs upon a strangely clear path,
and it would be wise not to follow them,
as clever children can usually survive.
Eating houses isn’t polite.
Always avoid billy goats when you can,
the grass is only greener if the gardener is good,
and little wooden bridges usually rot.
Your voice shouldn’t be gruff.
Signs that say Sherwood are a warning,
fat men on bridges can be deadly,
because the bow and arrow can kill.
Say your name’s Marian.
If you see a great white bear with a girl upon his back,
do not follow them for you will be inevitably lead
east of the sun and west of the moon, where trolls are real.
Curiosity is not recommended.
Huge, brooding castles are probably bad rest stops,
if the furniture twitches, get out while you can,
and do not touch the roses.
The name Beauty is forbidden.
Run from things that slither,
or from anything with fig leaves,
man or woman doesn’t matter.
Apples are not snacks.
If you’re really unlucky in this morass
of sickness and fantasy come horribly true,
you might see the omen of death.
Close your eyes against black dogs.
Remember always to walk fast,
and keep your head down and humble,
so you do not attract attention.
Forest Dark is not kind.
Strange things happen in Forest Dark,
where shadows creep on tiptoe
as they go in for the kill.
Carry a light.