Winter Shades

Warmth wraps me in a blanket, flames eating the wood are white noise lulling me into drowsiness. Sounds outside impinge upon my unconscious, populating imaginings with wings and claws and eyes.

Deeper now. Creatures sinister, unseen and watching - waiting? A black she-bear as my mount, our path overgrown, brambles scratching and attacking.

Dark now. In the arms of the she-bear, stifled yet comforted, breath warm on my cheek. Protected from the depths of myself. Drifting off, deeper, and deeper still.

Light now. Shivering. Abandoned. Awake. Cold hearth, unfeeling ashes. From outside the scratching of large claws.

Awake now!