The Rabbit's Path: Through Thorn and Tide

The crimson petals shook gently in the wind,

a brilliant glow that blinds the eye.

They danced in a familiar way,

leading me far upon a path

that seemed to stray too far.

The dirt—smooth and cold—

made the air feel light.

Skipping, I kept going,

even as the light dimmed behind me.

Flowing down the dim-lit path,

like a fallen leaf upon the wind—

knowing the cold dirt waits,

ready for a final embrace.

The leaf met the river, flowing the only way it ever could.

At the path’s end, I stood,

waiting for you to meet me.

But you never came.

Minutes turned to hours,

hours into days,

until I looked up—

and saw you had gone the other way.

Now, on the other side,

where darkness hides,

thorns gleamed behind you,

eager for vulnerable skin.

Tendrils coiled,

snakes ready to strike.

The dirt beneath me turned to mud,

gripping, pulling, holding me still.

My thoughts swirled like quicksand,

dragging me down.

I thought my mind was protecting me—

my want.

My heart’s true desire—hidden behind me,

only appearing like a rare eclipse—

just as you appeared before.

Back into my world, where things felt right again.

But the walls I built were too high.

I couldn’t hear you, only echoes of affection.

I tore them down until my hands were raw.

And just as the walls crumbled,

my emotions crashed like a landslide—

hitting you fast and hard,

leaving you breathless, scared.

And then I felt it—

slowly and all at once.

That same familiar darkness,

the one that already took you once,

called to you again,

like a melody you knew by heart—

one you could not help but dance to.

I was drowning you in my wants.

And all at once, I begged forgiveness,

for I had only felt this once before.

This time, I leapt into the river after you,

to cross the distance that kept us apart.

But the current was unforgiving—

it pulled me under, over and over.

I gasped for air,

but only swallowed water,

heavy in my lungs,

weighing me down in my own despair.

But I wasn’t the only one drowning.

You weren’t the only one in the wrong.

The voices in my head screamed—

Turn back before it’s too late,

before the darkness you befriended

became the reason I was permanently lost.

Muscles weak, breath shallow,

I made it to your side of the riverbed.

Clawing through thorned brush,

hands bleeding, leaving a trail behind me—

I saw you, swallowed whole

by a force beyond your control.

I looked at you.

Then, I looked at myself.

Here I was again, bleeding for someone else.

I had strayed too far from myself.

And my heart—so heavy—

if it didn’t break, it would crush my soul.

So, I left you there, in the darkness.

For only you could be the light to lead you out.

Each step away, like nails through my feet.

Each breath, a quiet defeat.

The river wasn’t rushing this time.

It was calm.

And it was time—

To choose myself.

To do what’s right.

Even if, with every breath,

my heart cracked a little more.