HIBERNATING.

Everyone I know, myself included, feels like hibernating at the moment, to hide from our quirks & quibbles, aches & angst’s, so I´m going deep into the bowels of the earth today. I walk through a Winter forest, hard of frost, scarce of bloom, misty & grey in evening´s murky gloom. Trees loom, pointing accusing fingers as I pass. My eyes down, together with my spirits, I plod on with icy determination until I meet the old tree. At the base of its ancient trunk, a small door creaks open & a small being beckons me in with a long pointed finger. I lose all notion of where I am, who I am, & of my size, as I go through the door & follow this wizened little gnome with his swaying lantern. After walking through what seems like miles of winding corridors, we arrive at a clearing, a little room smelling of pine & herbs, beautifully furnished. Polished wooden floors glimmer in the flickering firelight. Beautiful mats upon which an array of small animals lie, warming themselves in front of the homely fireplace, rabbits, squirrels, hedgehogs. I´m handed a small leaf-plate of oaten biscuits & an acorn- cup of forest-fruit tea, pungent with cloves & cinnamon. The little gnome´s wife with rosy cheeks & pointy ears, & bells tinkling on her minute shoes, smiles at me & tells me that I must not take the outer world too seriously. This dear little couple gave me their hospitality, their good wishes & their wisdom, & escorted me back to the front door where I bid them farewell. I started my way back home through the cold, dark forest, but now without the quibbles, quirks, aches & angst’s.