When the explosions

come to an end

and the smoke clears,

I lay my shaking body down

on a bed of pine needles,

an arcadian at last.

The forest,

once a tranquil home,

now destroyed,

livens with a few chirrups

and curiosities

as wildlife scuttles

into the open.

I hear the crunch of footfall

nearby

and see a figure approach

with gentleness.

Without a word

they lift me into their arms

and place me in a stretcher

made of branches.

I watch as the trees reach

for each other across the path,

unable to embrace

after such hostilities

and I wonder,

is breathing

in this moment

enough?