Having stumbled upon the path, by then long lost,
The elderly couple had half expected
It would lead them back into town.
“Maybe to the lot where we parked,” she joked.

Who would have thought the path would end so sharply 
While still deep in the woods! 
And why end at a stream so wide
As if the forest had drawn some line?

Two hours of wandering, 
Hunger and thirst rising,
These woods no longer looked kind.
And above them the sun threatened 
To set not so long from now. 

Hope draining, they stand before the stream, 
Staring in silence but still holding hands.
“Maybe the path continues on the other side,” 
The husband murmurs, half to himself. 
“Or maybe it’s deeper than it looks.”

Turning from the stream, 
She pulls on his arm to bring him lower. 
She smiles as he faces her 
Looking directly into her eyes. 
She speaks softly to her man, 
“Give me your best kiss, my love,
Then hold my hand, tightly please,
As we step into the water lightly.”