As Ever Like the Sun & Moon at War

4- ☾☾ -III

The wagon's rattling wheels cease their noise

as Spouse and Saunterer now come upon

the cave wherein the Pilgrim yesterday

did fall when she and he were arguing—

the final proper conversation had

betwixt the two before his taking ill.

From here they turn around and take the bend,

observing side of th'road for opening

in th'woods, which comes about so subtle that

they almost miss the gap between the trees                10

despite the lantern light she holds to them.

So here they stop, dismounting from the bench

to enter th'woods in search of th'alternate

approach into the cavern they've been told

exists along this path; and as was said,

through bush and scuffing stone they find the mouth—

a hole within the ground with nat'ral steps

that lead their way toward its darken'd depths.

So hypnotiz'd by what she sees, the Spouse—

upon a hand now brushing on her arm—                20

doth jump at Saunterer's attempt to grasp

attention. "Whoa, apologies from me

for startling thee. I only wish suggest

perhaps it best I stay behind to watch

the road to make for sure the horses there

be undisturb'd for this duration thou

mayst search the cave for th'herb the Doctor needs."

She nods to this and sits upon the first

of steps to swing her legs upon the next

whilst bids he her to carefully proceed,                30

for this terrain is treacherous for men

in trousers, let alone a lass in dress.

She heeds his words as deeper she descends

within the darkness, lantern's pooling light

an ever shrinking presence in this dark

which seems to swallow what her flame can throw.

But still she sees the ground beneath her feet,

so crack'd and rugged ankles threaten twist,

and also doth she know direction she's

suppos'd to travel by the roaring boom                40

of th'waterfall that echoes off the walls,

so when there's cooling mist upon her skin

and liquid crystal spout she sees ahead,

she knows she's found the spot her Pilgrim fell

and crouches o'er the rock so to caress

the place he lay whilst she set out for help

in total darkness, save the single light