Lava Tube

           Tunnel,

     in the ground,

darkness all around;

   Stepping down,

      wet rocks;

   trying not to slip

      

      Roots hang 

    from charcoal,

 dripping with water

      Molten rock;

       taffy flows, 

        stretches,

    dissolves Earth

        Eyes, giant

 then they disappear,

        altogether 

           Watch,

         your head,

      rock sculptures,

  hang from the ceiling

     If your flashlight 

               fails,

           reach out,

   feel your way through 

        Something soft,

             cool, wet,

           grows deep,

         along the wall,

      Flashlight flickers,

             reveals;

       greens, yellows,

            oranges

       Bacteria, worms,

              spiders,

          make a tube,

           their home

            Flip flops;

       loose toes, skin,

           scraped off,

          by lava rocks

       Touching the floor,

           smooth clay,

           sharp glass,

          Is there light?

           Move slowly,

             cautiously,

          trust one path,

              leads out

             Lightness;

          fills darkness,

       restores humility