beyond the forest

in the Carpathian Mountains
of Transylvania
you may find bears and wolves
but though I walked there
I never saw one      and no
there are no vampires

so      open this forest book for me
let me live in a house with
low-beamed ceilings      lamp-lit rooms
the magic of fruit-carved armoires
soft-polished wood floorboards
the scent of plum brandy

let me sense the smells of pine and moss
the chink of cowbells      let me wake
in a house with horses outside
their legs so long they can run
to the moon and back in a morning
Let me sleep in a bed full of history

let me meet a count so handsome
I burst into tears when I see him

Caroline Carver