Walking Seven Steps Together

(Walking Seven Steps) Catching the last shot of the sunset sky Even more rustier than before Delayed my departure. I asked my friends to go ahead And I would catch up with them, but The perfect shot took longer than I thought. Packing my bags I hurried downhill knowing I was lagging far behind the others. The thickness of the night engulfed me And I knew I had lost my trail. Stumbling over a stone I had also Lost my torch, and started walking blindly In the darkness of the woods. The pitch black trees seemed statued To the ones that breathed life When I had often trampled Through the varied wooded parks. The autumn leaves were crackling Under my light footsteps as The tiniest crescent moon smiled Through the bare leaved branches Welcoming my partnership on our lone journey. How long I walked, my feet knew not How long I would walk, my heart knew not My map was dark and my eyes could read it not. But my ears were sharp to hear another crackling Under footsteps many times heavier than mine. From the dark slope above I saw a shadow enlarged Hurrying down to my path as if to lead me out. My breath was calm, my eyes happy, and quietly My adventurous spirit followed him wherever he lead. The woods became denser and our pace quicker With a click of his finger the air became fresher. So intoxicated was I with the heavenly air that It perfumed my soul, my very breath and Every transient thought that fleeted in, Till I stood before a very flowery welcoming cottage. I extended my hand to my shrouded partner and said: 'It takes seven steps together to make a friend. We have walked more than seven steps together to......'. My hooded companion most divinely intervened: 'It takes seven steps together to make a friend It takes seven hours together To make any journey most heavenly'. Without raising his chin,without accepting my extended hand He turned his back to retreat into the woods As mysteriously as he had entered it.