he always desires the gentle way,
and hobgoblins delight in the choosing.
for they know the path leads

through overgrown green fields
spotted with wild flowers.
on occasion he stumbles upon

another traveler and nods his head
in unison, a pained greeting disrupted
by the uncomfortable sound of feet

trudging through thick grass.
at the end, he finds himself
standing alone,

a fatted calf awaiting the slaughter.