When I was little

Stump Man taunts me
from wet green shadows
sprouting mushroom beard
knobby twist of nose and scowl.

I run from mayapple
umbrellas to sundap fairy ring
to unicorn dust motes dancing
I will not fear Stump Man.

Tomorrow the forest hides dangers
bears and bums and paths that maze
mom grows up and sees the news
I’ll grow up and learn to fear.

Today I run to the woods alone
into dark briar creeping
goosebumps tickling my arms
from cold not nightmare shadows.

I stand on Stump Man’s head and laugh.