In the shadow of my mind, I felt a stillness come upon me. I was tortured by its lengthy suspense that hung me in an upside-down world, merging and mixing my already clouded thoughts. I could smell dampness to the earth, and suddenly realized I was lying helplessly upon the floor of an ancient wood. In a place untouched by humans save my own self, I was under the strange and mysterious spell of an unknown land. My eyes stung as I weakly lifted my swollen eyelids in want of light. Before myself, I saw colors and lights of a different world. I first wanted to touch them, then to taste of the smooth, constant glow of the rays of light that warmed my body.

I lifted my body and shook off the dried leaves that clung to me. A strange dust that glimmered in the light covered my skin, causing an unearthly sheen. Upon taking my first step, I knew I could hear something. Perhaps it was only the whisper of the wind that I could feel swirling around me. I held my breath and stood motionless, trying to capture the sound within my ears. But when I made no movement, I also heard no noise. I stepped again, and knew that I had heard a faint tune this time. My heart began to pound as I suddenly realized that this was an enchanted wood. It was not cursed, nor dark, nor was it all merry and full of mirth. There was a bewildering tune, whipped away by the same winds as those that quickly ushered it in. I could feel the tune becoming a part of me, and rays of light danced with every new note. Softly, slowly, I whispered the tune. Bewitching my mind, the tune sang softly back again. Echoes in the forest pulled me down a path of lingering song.

I looked again upon the golden dust that covered my skin. It glowed, becoming stronger in brightness than I remembered before. Each time I took a new step, a new note rung out gloriously, and the light of my skin seemed to pulse into a stronger glow. And then, it was no longer a golden dust upon me. I was turning into the liquid yellow light that sang in the wind. I felt warm, and then I felt nothing but music. I was nothing but the vibrations of cascading notes. The song had filled me, and I was no more.

Yet as I became the song, I felt no giddy sensation, nor did I feel any sadness. I felt only the throngings of passion that conquered the lit woodlands. And my weakness faded as I became the enduring Song of the Woodland.