THE MOONPOOL

It is a lazy, restful time 
here in the forest glade. 
The sun is departing, the stars arriving 
and the trees are a darkening jade. 

An air of buzzing, drowsing stillness 
invades the meadow, lends weight to my head 
as I settle down - bedroll, backpack 
and strains of music are seemingly played. 

A deep, cool, dark pool is here, 
mirror clear, reflections of skies, 
as peace fills my mind, my soul 
and sleep gently touches my eyes. 
 
I know not whether I was awake, or in dream 
or how much time had passed, 
when I felt the magic of this place 
camped there, upon the grass. 
 
No sounds - no crickets? (The Music!) 
As the Moon awakens the pool, so bright. 
Why this anticipation, premonition, 
this magical feeling, this ghost haunted night? 
 
Then, a siamese cat enters the meadow- 
silver grey, regal compusure, flowing lines. 
And somehow I know - I see intelligence 
and wit, and power, as she looks into my eyes. 

How does she speak without speaking? 
But somehow, she communicates good will, and cheer. 
'Stay quiet, childe of man.', she says. 
'Be still - you are but a guest here.' 

Then a parade of feline musicians 
wandered in singing from the right. 
I shake my head *bedazzled*; Am I dreaming, or mad? 
Why me - here to witness this eldritch sight?  
A troupe of dancing, cavorting gnomes 
made their appearence upon a rocky stage. 
And following them : silver clad, haughty elves 
accompanied by a wizened old mage. 
 
Now, many strange but noble presences made manifest 
on that starlit night in June. 
And I witnessed and heard sweet music, high magic, secrets 
until dawn, with the passing of the Moon. 
 
And the high bred Queen of Cat Folk 
smiled with warmth, and left. 
Left me shaking with these visions, 
and nodding, I finally slept. 
 
I return often to these stately woods, seeking 
but never finding the sacred pool, so bright. 
It makes me sad - very sad to think 
that it was but a dream, a peculiar night. 
 
But sometimes, at the edge of sleep, 
soft music slowly beckons, and calls. 
And I know with every fiber of my being 
that I will again visit these magical sylvan halls