Agonising fraught... the tears fall down,

Muffled voices echo in my head,

The pain so deep, I wear a thorny crown

A different plane, a world of fear and dread.

Pounding through my mind those awful thoughts

Trampling brain and wrecking all my dreams,

I seek my answer, swirling mist distorts.

So why is nothing ever as it seems?

Voices call me from a western shore,

Ancient singing wafting through the trees,

I sit in thought beside the water, more,

Staring at silvery bubbles, humming bees.

I stand and breathe the air deep into me,

The golden sunlight playing on the stream,

Just when I thought I'd found my ancient way

The hammer fell and shattered every dream.

I walk the bank beside the waters edge

Willows bowing, shrouding a pure white stone

I stoop to pick it up, and make a pledge,

Forgive Darkwing, or ever walk alone.

Water tumbling now through leafy fall

Birds a-twitter 'mong the towering boughs,

Spirits on the rocks dance, one and all,

As nature plays, my senses to arouse.

Into the Chalice Gardens, so serene,

Full of power surging through my veins

Amazing sights, the like I'd never seen

Time stood still amidst the wetland plains.

Sedated is as close a word you'll find

To tell of how I left that wondrous place

Thoughts adrift upon the ancient mind

Tears of awe came tumbling down my face.

Home again, reluctant to depart,

Yet somehow, I would have to find my way,

Walk away but hold within my heart

The magick I had witnessed on that day.