Ruby

The wolves wait in the bushes
Eyes aglow
Shining red like rubies in the smoke
Alice stole the red coat
From the little girl who got lost
It flows gently around her shoulders
I carry the basket
Make a trail with petals and branches
We know not to go in the house
The trees and leaves will be our roof tonight
If we get hungry we will eat berries
Quench our thirst with water from the crystal blue stream
The forest holds many secrets
Perhaps we need an axe to see them
She squeals
The rain gently brushes our face
Alice lifts the hood of the cape
I let my hair get wet
It is soothing
Like a tear slowly falling
The wolves do not frighten us
Their eyes light a path
Follow us
Keep us safe
There is no surer thing than to be hunted
This is a magic land
A tumble through the pages of a dusty story
When it gets dark we can turn back home
Take off the red cloak
Make a note of our adventure
Try to explain how we travelled in our mind
But stayed still in our bodies
I think I would have preferred the red shoes
She says
If we pluck the eyes from the wolves
Maybe we can make a pair
But that's a different story
Another adventure
Another lost girl
We find our feet
Walk in the door
Sleep peacefully in the red bed
The dark forest and wolves behind us.