The forest no longer opened for him.
Its paths narrowed,
branches leaning inward
as though to listen.

The ground carried his weight away
and returned it as whispers.
Somewhere in the distance,
a twig broke without wind.

His breath grew sharp in his chest.
Every shadow moved
just after he turned.

The hunger he once followed
now followed him,
and he walked
knowing the end
was already walking too.