Michigan Winter
Story by Mantrid_Brizon on SoFurry
A bit of Christmas poetry, because I'm still a poet, if ever a terrible one. A man struggles to escape a frigid storm, only to find himself in a cave. Exploring the cave, he encounters more than he could have ever possible imagined...
Author's Notes: 1) Like "Voodoo Shark", this is a poem-story, with roughly 760-ish words. 2) The title has little to do with the actual poem's subject matter, and there's a reason for that. My first Christmas poem, "Tennessee Snow", was written in Tennessee and during a snowstorm. It's a simple enough title theme. :3
Michigan Winter
(12/25/2018)
I was lost in silver haze,
Wandered as though in a maze,
My camp was deep within the snow,
As the frosty wind did blow,
Icy shards that stung my skin,
Stumbling back and forth again,
Shelter from the storm I sought,
But changing life is what I wrought,
I found a cave to hide into,
As my skin was turning blue,
Twigs and leaves I pushed together,
While shivering like solo feather,
Sparked a flame to warm my berth,
Amber glow from simple hearth,
Eyes that scanned the rocky walls,
Noticed there were several halls,
Made a torch of wood and resin,
Darkness loomed and silence deafened,
Slowly walked toward my left,
Eerie wind was courage theft,
Crept within the musty pit,
Just the step before was lit,
Came upon a wonderous sight,
Massive cavern of glowing light,
Far below a single tree,
Saw something I couldn’t foresee,
Beasts that walk around like men,
Living in expansive fen,
I gazed upon a land like Zion,
Their paw-like feet and heads like lions,
Coats of fur and swaying tails,
Follow them like deadly flails,
Standing on an upper tier,
I could not help but to leer,
Sat upon the ledge of rock,
I fused myself like concrete blocks,
For unknown time I sat and stared,
Finally they saw me there,
At my presence ire made,
And t’was I who was afraid,
Tried to flee but rocks were slick,
And the cat-folk were too quick,
Captured me without a struggle,
Wrapped me like a tinder bundle,
Carried me into their home,
Laid me down on sky blue brome,
A language I can’t comprehend,
Of my fate they did contend,
Knowing not what to do with me,
They tied me to their splendid tree,
Continued on with daily lives,
Community buzzed like a hive,
After some time a being came,
And grabbed my arm as if to claim,
Cut the ropes and pulled me up,
I felt like a frightened pup,
Looking at a female form,
That otherwise was of the norm,
Slender waist and ample breasts,
Her figure covered in a dress,
I found in her a strange appeal,
Though my freedom she did steal,
She took me to a little hut,
A door of hide she quickly shut,
What did she have in store for me?
Would my tomorrow ever be?
All of my dramatic thought,
Preparedness was all for naught,
Even though I was confined,
The lioness was very kind,
Of my needs she would attend,
She became my only friend,
A simple language we did share,
Communicate with awkward stares,
Subtle gestures and gentle touch,
About each other we learned so much,
With the night came restful sleep,
The lioness made nary a peep.
She pulled me in and held me tight,
Her grip I didn’t want to fight,
Her embrace was comforting,
And quickly I was slumbering,
But dawn would bring another strife,
The lioness begged for my life,
Their king I met and he did speak,
My future was looking bleak,
I shivered as my fate unfurled,
But they gave me to the girl,
A toothy maw she smiled with joy,
And clung to me like a child’s toy,
Amused chuckles and little grins,
Came from many of her kin,
But I was under her protection,
She showered me with much affection,
She didn’t care what the other’s thought,
My fate we were no longer fraught,
Many weeks would come and go,
Friendship and beyond we sowed,
Her language she would teach to me,
I practiced with the utmost glee,
I learned her name and so much more,
A love for me she quickly swore,
Her man who came from the beyond,
I did not know how to respond,
The truth is that I felt the same,
My feelings weren’t sickly or lame,
The lion girl who spared my life,
For her my love is ever rife,
With our sincerest confessions,
We enjoyed passion’s expressions,
Our love was just barely sated,
But we felt invigorated,
After which we made a pledge,
A marriage that we would allege,
Seeing my sincerity,
Her clan then slowly warmed to me,
No longer in captivity,
I now have my liberty,
But with the tribe I live my life,
And stay close to my caring wife,
I once was lost but now I’m found,
The wind that howled like a hound,
It’s icy fire on my flesh,
Winter storm gleefully threshed,
And sheltering inside the cave,
Where my future could be saved,
I found more than a reprieve,
New life and love I did receive.