a Land of Enchantment

There is a path that leads to a mystical land.
A land where I am connected with all.
Shortly upon entering,
the trail narrows and the underbrush thickens.
Muffled sounds of the little town off in the distance fade quickly.
I drift off forgetting about the world I leave behind.
Ready to explore.​

It's a neighborhood to many.
Their safe haven and playground.
Protected and sheltered from man.
Untouched.
Left to live in peace.
​
Hovering high above the land are the birds of night,
casting their spell on all who seek refuge here.
As the magic unfolds, the clattering begins.
All are happy, as the news spreads quickly of my arrival.

Birds perched high in the trees greet me with their song,
welcoming me to explore and play.
Butterflies dance and flutter joyfully alongside me,
drawing me further into the heart of the neighborhood.

My tour guides arrive.
Dragonflies with their shimmering coats of colors
dart in and out in front whimsically.
Proudly displaying their frenzied flight patterns,
they capture my undivided attention.
"Come on! Follow me!" They call.

As I follow their lead, others come to join.
All are curious to meet the guest.
​
Met by the land's messengers, the buzzing begins.
Mosquitoes begin to whisper faintly in my ear,
divulging all the secrets of the forest.

As I turn the corner, the workers suddenly appear.
Spiders are hard at work weaving their intricate designs.
Beautiful hand-spun veils glisten all around me.
Proudly they watch as I gaze at their artwork in approval.

Meandering deeper, the sunlight fades.
Only shadows are cast.
For the sun's rays can't pierce the shield,
woven overhead by the guards of the forest's intertwined arms.

The earth's dampness and the shedding of the trees
are just the right ingredients for the mythical gardens.
The earth's bountiful harvest of ferns, moss and toadstools
cover the hallowed grounds.
Home to the forest's mythical creatures.

Fairies shyly peek out from their hiding places.
I'm honored by their presence.
Their curiosity wins out, as they inch closer.
"Who is this stranger?" they whisper.
What beautiful creatures they are.
Their flights glisten and glow in the air all around me.
As they envelop me in their illumination,
my spirit is filled with a warmth of great joy.

A warning comes from my new friends
as we enter the land of the pranksters.
I spot a babbling brook that carves thru the ravine.
Leaves fall in an uncontrollable spin,
gently landing, causing a flurry.

The pixies suddenly appear,
jumping on their makeshift rafts
for a fun filled ride down the rapids.
Their antics begin, as they taunt and tease,
pushing each other off into the cold waters.
Lucky for me. No tricks.
They are preoccupied with their own shenanigans.

The forest darkens.
Night is upon me.
My time is cut short with my friends.
An exchange of goodbyes are in order,
as I'm guided back to where it all began.
​
As they fade into the shadows, an invitation is announced.
"Please join us again!"
And I will do just that.
Counting the minutes until my next fun filled adventure.

For more of my children inspired pieces, you may enjoy reading The Secret Garden, Southern Summer Memoirs, Through a Child's Eyes, and Your Biggest Cheerleader.