St. James C.E. Academy, Southam

Yesterday, I was gazing lovingly at my true love’s soft smile and running with him joyously; today I am running fearfully from the wild beasts lurking in the forest. I am alone. Woken by scuttling footsteps and the wrapper of dew that has settled across me, I hear sounds echo and spiral through this criminal forest. My heart is still pounding with confusion after the sight of my beloved Lysander gone.

Shadows loom over me as I venture, sending me to crawl along the forest’s ferny floor. Intimidated, yet willing to save our love, I carry on trekking through the treacherous woods with my imagination set free to battle me. Scratching at my face, the branches also whisper delightedly as if crushing my dream is funny. At the moment, I am guiltily starting to understand my stubborn father’s side: it would’ve avoided so much heartbreak.

On the eve of the previous day, I was prancing through long, fresh lemongrass with my love, Lysander; today my heart is trembling with fear as he has vanished from my sight. Exhausted, I awoke during the night. Maybe, someone or something woke me. I then knew that he had disappeared. Whatever woke me, it has long gone. But the ferocious wolves are howling, wise old owls are hooting, squirrels are gnawing hazelnuts and grasshoppers are leaping. Hopefully, he’s not amongst the fighting stags or the savage badgers from the east. Though the dew has soaked me through, I do not care: I only want the love of my life back.

I am certain that he has not run away because there is not one reason why. Oh Lysander, where have you gone? I long for you to protect me from dangerous beasts that will do absolutely anything to me. Maybe you have been taken over by evil. But how could that happen during a short slumber? Cold wind from the north blows into me, pushing me closer to a vortex of loneliness. Lysander, please just come back.

Yesterday, I was cheerfully running through yellow autumn leaves with my lover Lysander; today, I’m running through the dark forest to find my lover Lysander. Woken quickly by the whistling of the wind, I find my clothes are torn by the sharp brambles. Footprints rest in the mud. My heart is as still as stone for Lysander has gone. Was he taken by vicious beasts? Or was he stolen by the king’s men? I may never find out but I will keep searching.

I wish I had never come. I can’t go back for I will be killed or made a nun. I ran away with my lover to live a good life; now he has gone. I am all alone.

Yesterday, I was leaping with joy; today I woke up with fear in me. I can hear sticks snapping and leaves trembling underneath. Wolves are howling as the moonlight trickles away. I miss Lysander. All that I can think of is, where is he?

I think, this morning, wolves are eating his flesh. Will I ever see him again? My true love is gone. I can hear stags fighting. I wonder if that will be me in between.

I wish I had never gone with Lysander. I wish I listened to my father I believe that Demetrius is right for me now.