Longing in a Surreal Landscape

NIGHT FALLS ON THE PEPPERMINT FOREST.

YOU MOVE BETWEEN THE ROWS OF TREES
AND DISTURB THE QUIET SNOW TO GET TO ME.
GIANT CANDY CANE SHADOWS FALL,
EMBRACING YOU WITH THEIR SWEETNESS,

BUT I CANNOT TASTE WHAT'S SWEET.
I CAN BE NOTHING BUT SADDENED
BY THE BLANK, WHITE DARKNESS.

FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE DISTANCE
YOUR MOTHER CALLS TO YOU.

ALONE AGAIN, I PLUNGE MY HANDS
INTO THE SIGHING LANDSCAPE,
FEELING FOR HEARTBEATS.

MY ARMS STUMBLE OVER A BERRY, BIG AND RED
IT IS STILL BEATING.
I CARRY IT, BLEEDING,
TO THE PLACE WHERE LAST YOU STOOD--
BUT YOU, AND EVEN YOUR FOOTPRINTS, HAVE GONE HOME.