The Doe

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It was from behind a fluttering veil of brightly colored fall leaves, and cedar scented needles, the trembling doe peered. She stood as still as the stones on which her cloven hooves were planted.

When the crisp fall breeze wafted, the leaves fell, and danced, allowing her large brown eyes, fringed with black, to catch glimpses of obstacles strewn before her.

Some she recognized, and a soft voice reminded her of their danger, and the destruction, which had once engulfed her. Instinctively she stepped back in the hopes any possible damage could be avoided.

She also saw elements that caught her interest. They stood apart from the others, much like shimmering stars against a black velvet sky. Some were small, but as she surveyed the horizon, through openings in the colorful curtain covering her, she saw one whose sparkle seized her interest.  It was then she wondered if she was strong enough to lower the invisible wall that had held her heart captive for far too long.

She knew there were beautiful paths beyond the brush in which she was hidden.  Perhaps the radiance of the one that seemed to be calling her to follow was safe. However, the trail that led her to where she now stood had been a mirage, which disappeared, taking her soul with it. She knew, with out doubt, she could not again travel a path sprinkled with fools’ gold, only to fall, once more, from an unseen cliff. 

There was a scrap of spirit within her that longed to follow, even though she stood gripped with fear.  The inner voice, that had reminded her of dangers past, whispered yet again. It told her she could take small steps, and at first remove one brick, if safe, more could follow. 

She was afraid to remove that first brick lest the remaining ones tumble around her, leaving her bare and vulnerable, again, to become nothing more than a trophy for a hunter in disguise.

With her remaining strength, she ventured from the darkened shroud, and followed the path, lit with what appeared as bright rays from the Heavens. She nudged the heaviest brick, the one that held the wall in place, and hoped soon she would feel safe enough to move it entirely, allowing her the freedom to remove those that remained.