Message Received

Part II of my submission for the Portal Prompt by Indie Ink Fund

Excitement and dread
Do not make a merry blend.
Tentative, tender, thoughtful 
steps taken forth,
The insect lazily tracking my moves,
perched upon the walls,
seemingly immobile, 
for the past many moons.

Wondering if this world would talk to me,
Or be the one, I would understand, 
without knowing its wares and secret signs.
Should I be worried?
A lover of forests would be 
welcomed in this world,
I hope!
Verbal or not, the insect sensed my worry
and nodded me further along. 

A system was at work here,
roots had formed large blanket-like nets,
Venus flytraps and their herd were 
gathered at one end,
large numbers of anthills 
as far as I could see,
pulsating mushrooms, covering the floor,
lichens and moss aglow.

Instant unease, the instinct came unbidden,
for the numbers were not adding,
or fitting in proportions 
that the natural world adorned. 
Symmetry askew, despite peace prevailing,  
A scene overwhelming, 
overflowing with promised doom,
at first comforting,
but a threat looming, 
fresh air intact, but restlessness brewing!
  
I could hear the wildlife,
battlecries emerging from afar,
Energies of all kinds floating,
Innumerable portals suddenly appearing,
Slow, considered movement on my right,
I turned towards a gnarled root 
approaching steadily, attached to a tall tree
that took its time, as it avoided haste,
and bent to tell me,
what I already knew,
"I care for the woods like no one else does"

Before I could react,
I was already outside,
Staring, but not really looking,
At the exposed roots that were no longer bright,
The messenger had been warned,
The Final War was stirring; if humans did not stop,
Armed with the conviction,
that the network had sent this warning across,
I trailed back to my abode,  
a thought constantly prodding,
'I knew it!!
Ents had to be real!'

Created by yours truly on toned paper A5-size sketchbook with sketch pens, gel pens, copic black liner pens.

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Thank you for reading!

If you wish to read Part-I of my submission titled ‘Stepping Through’, you can read it here.

The submissions for the Portal Prompt by the Indie Ink Fund are about to close at the end of this month, sharing the link below if you wish to submit your artwork or write-up.

🌀 PORTALS: New Beginnings 🌀