Discovering the Night

Plodding through the thick brush
On a balmy summer's night,
I look up and take notice
Of the sliver of bright white.

I continue down the path
Thoughts closed tight like shutters
Blind to other creatures' worlds,
To all that the wind utters.

Trees enfold me, keep me, hold me,
But their secrets they won't share.
Mysteries surround me, mock me, hound me
'Til at last I deign to care.

I step out of the forest
Into the ring of firelight,
I lay down and watch that sliver
For the first time unafraid of night.

(That's old but I still like it.)