As I stood there ’twixt tree and stream

I saw afar a distant dream

and in its hazy shadow's wake

appeared a cleft, such fractured break

that shook from root to very core

as through the tear, the port, the door

stabbed fearsome vision no return

with eyes to freeze and breath to burn

it lunged and launched a shattered thought

and from the dust a hand it wrought

so took me, grabbed me by my soul

and dragged me screaming though its hole

for I was lost from there, now done

the end was nigh, my time had come

such circumstance had been so bold

but fate reached out and took a hold

and snagged my leg upon that tree

a moment to reflect for me

initiative, with some control

reasoned avoidance of that hole

attack I did, and back I fought

defeating fear with power of thought

and then as conflict's fog grew thin

I knew this fight was mine to win

exhausted, stronger, now ahead

the demon lay before me dead

no more to strike to break my dreams

to face me larger in extremes

perception had been born at last

embracing future

enduring past.