The Harvester's Son

Running beneath the Autumn trees

While Goldenrods danced with bees

I stumbled across an overgrown pass

By a starlit lake made of glass

An old sign what with Ivy strewn

Appeared whilst clouds unveiled the moon

And what was written where time hadn't won

"Here lives the Harvester and his son."

Snap

My head spun round and heartbeat quickened

Vision blurred as the forrest thickened

For the Harvester was known around these parts

As an eccentric man who harvested hearts

As I turned to run far from this place

A brilliant light shone in my face

The sun was rising and it reflected

On something I never would have expected

Golden hair past broad shoulders flowing

In the early morning light seemed to be glowing

Like fire amongst the the warm, crisp leaves

Ethereal in the Autumn breeze

The young man strode a stone's throw away

His countenance, such an elegant display

As he entered an orchard of apples fair

My misty eyes saw his feet were bare

Against all wisdom and logical will

I found myself following him, breath was still

He was descending with an apple in hand, from a tree

And though his back was turned, threw it to me

Startled, I caught it, surprise clearly written

He turned, and I saw his eyes were frostbitten

Uncommon to see, eyes so milky white

I gasped, but I was free from fright

"I heard you," he spoke, voice a gentle whisper

"Go on, throw your stones." It turned to a whimper

"Why would anyone do that, in all the skies?"

"Because I am the son whose father stole his eyes."

He spoke of a rumor I knew all too well

The Harvester took his son's sight to sell

He was desperate, and the witch needed it for a spell

And the son was forced in this forest to dwell

As goosebumps rose, I asked, "What's your name?"

"I have none." Autumn turned his hair to a flame

I took a step closer, the boy caught his breath

My fingers brushed his cheek, they we as cold as death

At my touch, he fled, quick as a doe

Blindness hinders him not, lingers is his woe

I cried and I searched but all in vain

I felt his pain. With his absence, magic slain

I wandered home in a trance, mouth agape

The mist and leaves around me drape

All thoughts ensnared by a boy with eyes of white

He became my obsession at every twilight

I returned and returned, path now familiar

As the Autumn leaves died, we welcomed Winter

Walking hand in hand, chilled to the bones

I became the girl who did not bring stones

I met every rock and tree as he introduced his forest home

He told me though his sight is gone, he just wants to roam

Forethoughtfulness gone, I braved the cold each night

To help the boy I fell in love with gain back his sight

"Take my hand," I said, "we're going on a journey."

Sun-kissed hair caressed his face, stardust eyes were blurry

"You know not of all the things that live beyond your forest,

Of all the mountains, deserts, oceans, singing together in chorus."

And so we left. To wander, wander, far as we dared

Far from the apple orchard where our first touch was shared

We would not return for many years for there's so much to touch

So that my Autumn boy's eyes would not be a crutch

At our return, our nostrils filled, dark scent of smoke

And at this scent, milky eyes simply... awoke

And my heart crumbled at the voice, sweet as honeycomb

Scream and weep, for his first sight: the Harvesters burnt down home

And it was on that Winter's night I learned something I shan't forget

That the Harvester, against all stories, was far from a threat

That he loved, cared, nurtured, and gave all that he collected

So full of light, society labeled him infected

Frozen flurries now danced around his bones, charred

And my boy wept, wept, wept, his home now a graveyard

I learned his mother left, giving birth to a son disabled

And the Harvester was thought to go mad, as what was fabled

I swept him up and held him close, tears now frozen

As I felt his trembling form, I knew that I was chosen

"My love, you'll ne'er be alone, be that as it were

Come now, dry your eyes, for I will be your Harvester."

And he looked at me, and SAW me, for the very first time

He ran his fingers through my hair and said, "You're really mine?"

I simply smiled and met his eyes, now a shocking blue

"You harvested my heart, and I will always belong to you."