Xylophilous Dreamer

The early morning mist dances in swirls,
As a weary dreamer’s legs cross a cold open field,
The dead grey grass beneath the white blanket is sodden,
The landscape is flat, barren and desolate,
The grey cloudy sky seamlessly melts into the ground,
Whispers on the cold gentle breeze meet curious ears,
In the distance, the black skeleton of a lone dead tree calls,
Its contrast pierces the grey landscape, like a thorn in the skin,
Its obtrusive appearance is the only visible feature,
The early morning mist dances in slow swirls
As a weary dreamer crosses a cold open field.
Beneath a blanket of white,
The dead grey grass lies sodden.

The grey sky melts seamlessly into the earth,
Leaving the landscape barren and endless.
Whispers ride upon the gentle breeze,
Meeting curious ears.

In the distance,
The black skeleton of a lone dead tree calls.
Its silhouette pierces the grey horizon
Like a thorn driven into flesh.

It is the only feature in the desolate landscape.

As the dreamer draws closer,
A terrible detail reveals itself.
Upon each gnarled branch,
A single wide eye stares.

One by one,
They slowly turn,
Fixing their gaze upon the approaching walker.
A thick twisted trunk splits apart,
Revealing a great gaping mouth.
Rotting teeth jut from blackened gums.
A long dark tongue unfurls across the mud,
Slowly spreading at the dreamer’s feet.

Every instinct screams to turn away.
Yet still they walk forward.
Gelatinous grey liquid squishes beneath bare feet.

With each step,
The tongue rises higher,
Lapping gently against the dreamer’s back,
Encouraging them onward.

The mouth waits open.
Inviting.
Patient.
Hungry.
The dreamer steps inside.

The jaws snap shut.
Dim light vanishes.
They begin to slide downward
Through a dark wet throat.

Roots and mud line the dripping tunnel walls.
The descent grows faster.
And faster.
Until the tunnel suddenly ends.

The dreamer falls.
Freefalling into a black abyss.
Their terrified screams echo endlessly
Through the darkness below.

Then, they wake.
Sudden.
Confused.

Heart hammering in their chest.
With the smell of putrid burning wood filling their nostrils.

Xylophilous (pronounced zy-LOF-uh-luhs) an adjective meaning, growing or living in or on wood. The term is commonly used to describe fungi, insects, and other organisms that are attracted to and thrive in wooden environments.