don’t say we didn’t warn you

is your farewell

as the forest

swallows you up.

it’s not as if you didn’t know about the elves

about their tricks

their lures

but the forest has always called to you

louder than your family’s cautionings.

they’ll take you

and they won’t let you go

is what they said

to try to tame your curiosity.

but instead you thought

i wouldn’t mind a bit.

you walk deeper into the shadows

and you don’t look back.