Stranger In The Night Poem by Frederick Nellist

I met a stranger at the forest road fork
Tired and weary I slowed down to talk
Will he bide his time, converse with me
With his appearance I might not agree.

The pace we walk is measured and slow
The canopy above conceals the suns glow
Above the trees it burns crimson bright
It's cold in the forest almost like night.

Stay a while friend, raise up your hood
For the time you give I'll share my food
Nay fellow traveller, time's not my own
My fate is written, I remain alone.

I'll rest alone and will partake of bread
Slumber a while and lay down my head
Cold currents of air forbid me to sleep
The shadows grow long, dark and deep.

I'm fully awake, my dreams dispersed
The feelings I have this place is cursed
The stranger I met seemed in despair
Lord now I know, he was never there.