The Midnight Thief

The full moon gleamed in a deep dark sky,

Washing the landscape in blue.

The trees’ silhouettes were stark, deathly still.

Leaves and grasses speckled with dew…

My breath hung in clouds in the crispy night air

As I stood at the foot of those trees.

Marking the edge of a wood, quite enchanted,

They sighed softly, tho’ there was no breeze…

Creeping stealthily ’cross the quiet forest floor,

I eventually came to a clearing,

Where grey-green grass and purple-red flowers

Whispered words that were just beyond hearing…

Hiding silently here in this beautiful glade,

If I waited and watched patiently,

I might have been lucky, and caught a rare glimpse

Of creatures who exist magically!

In time I spotted the shimmering trail

Of translucent silk through the grass.

Worn by the faeries of myths, very ancient,

Over bodies like bright, liquid glass…

Their tinkling voices tickled my ears.

A sound unlike any I’d heard.

“If only I could capture just one!”

But really, the thought was absurd.

Still, as I watched and they played and danced,

Phosphorescent in moonbeams and starlight,

I held out my hands, barely daring to hope

That one might come close, and alight…

And then there she was! Wings outstretched;

Balancing with meticulous care,

To stand in the cup of my trembling hands

And fix me with a curious stare…

Oh she was lovely, this mythical sprite!

This exquisite miniature girl.

With hair that tumbled right down to her waist

In waves of silver, and pearl.

The eyes that met mine were so clear and so bright.

Tiny orbs of sapphire-blue crystal.

They twinkled with mischief, as many believe,

But also seemed searching, and wistful...

“Hello!” She said "What are you doing here?

“I’ve not seen a human before!”

I stuttered and stammered, she giggled and laughed,

And sat in my hands to hear more…

Chin in her hands and elbows on knees,

She sat long after the others dispersed;

While we swapped tales of our so diff’rent worlds

In voices hushed and whispered.

Her time came to go and she slowly stood,

Then asked brightly if I would come with her.

I said I could not, and her smile disappeared,

So I said I would certainly miss her!

She jumped in the air and flew close to my face,

And I fell back with a start!

Then, treating my nose to a dainty kiss,

She flew off, taking with her my heart…