I walk silently
Through the woods
Trying not to make footprints
In the new fallen snow
A golden bird follows me.
In its high voice
It commands me
To run
I obey
Now it wants me to dance
Through the branches
Around the tree trunks
It is the wrong dance
The golden bird
Says it wants to
Hurt me
To hit me with its sparkling wing
I’m stupid
I return to my silent walking
I know this does not please
The bird
But it will be tolerated
For a time
Then I will have to dance
Yet again
But not the right dance
I might never know
The right dance
But for now
I trail
Softly through the woods
Always with
The golden bird
Watching my every move
