hidden within pachysandra the occasional lily-of-the-valley stretches it's head like the tall thin man in the crowd

where his hat like a feather or white flag of surrender is what you'll remember the most when he's gone

and you follow the fast moving leader lest you lose your way and forget where you came from or where you are going

but I was quite small then and the tall forest trees grimly leaned down their arms to stay us from leaving their borders

until uncle decided the lie was taken as truth and carried me home telling me secrets of lost trails and green branches that pointed the way