A Million Tracks On My Behalf

Holding fast to his
slumping shoulders
I whisper,
'I'll never let you go',
as the the familiar
falls away
to the crumbling cliffs
of youthful temptations.
Steeling glances
from between hair
of rain and wisdom
I watch his feet
make a million tracks
on my behalf
through this valley
of shadowy doubt,
ready to sacrifice
his scarlet blood
should the demons
spring from below
their steaming waters.