The Elfin Wars

The war is ever-nearer to the boarders of this land Seeping forward through the woods Releasing acrid echoes of doom ahead on energetic tongues of stowaways Lucky to survive their ordeal Here they are welcomed, and in this cozy tavern Their woes are hidden in the shadows while they warm their feet by the fire, regaling their heroic tales of escape; growing ever grander with the generous plying of ‘the innkeeper’s secret’ special brew ‘It’s a secret,’ he tells me, as I take a sip; Warm amber fills my mouth, washing my throat with a sense of sweet spicy sunshine.. Suddenly I know, how despite being closest to the edge of conflict, this tavern will be Sanctuary … Spying the patrons and the ever arriving newcomers from my shaded alcove seat; Spotting frantic newcomers; a beacon of fear in a sea of jovial patrons slurring songs of old, arm in arm with one another It’s not hard to see that this tavern if filled with patrons from both sides… But it seems that the only person seeing this…is me ‘How do you do it?’ I ask under my breath, reluctant to destroy this mirage of comfort before me. ‘It’s a secret,’ he smiles, melting into the crowd. I try to follow, but my legs are soo heavy, anchoring my flying torso to my seat, my will fighting my body to stay in the now, ´HOW!’ I shout out, a cry of desperation … He turns back, only once, with a cheeky smile and a wink for good measure … then he is gone … like he never was I wake to the sound of twittering birds in a cove of dappled sunshine, before me a meadow where once stood a cozy tavern… All that remains; a tangled arch of wisteria and jasmine … And the eerie susurrations of songs of old, Inviting all in … to the toadstool ring.