I stand with the woodland in front of me

There are paths to my left and right
Both with known destinations...
"A fork in the road" if you will.

Pondering my options
Deciding my fate
Knowing that neither path leads to where I want to be.
I have a choice to make.
I can't stand here forever.

I decide to go forward
Through the trees

A path that has yet to be traveled by others
A trail unformed

The trees whisper in the wind
I nearly stumble on their roots

Sometimes I long
for your presence,
though it's just a fleeting shadow
nearly nonexistent
But when its there
it hurts deeply
It's so engraved in my being
that having you nearby
becomes unbearable.
My breath becomes shallow
my heart beats faster
I feel overwhelmed
by a dislike for the impact you have on me.
I hate how you cause me
to completely lose myself
all while remaining unaware.
I resent my inability to forget you,
and most of all,
I despise that I love you.

It's in the quiet I hear you.
My lungs elastic as they draw you in
with each comforting breath.

The memories of the day
expand my peace of mind
and careen my heart into you,

as you slumber next to me,
here in the solitude of our night.

I open the door, the light's pale
the morning air arrives
It rushes in causing me to inhale
as the sun clears the woods.

I take a few steps in onto the deck
and squirrels start to bark at me
I shrug my shoulders and my neck
in the shadow of the oak tree.

A young deer appears from somewhere
then stops and stares gingerly at me
then drops its head without a care.
then turns and walks almost carelessly.