Advice

 

Remember Vasalisa, lost 

          she found Baba Yaga’s forest house 

 dancing 

           on wild chicken feet, fearsome old woman

                            who would eat you alive, unless 

 

you complete an impossible task

 

while she sleeps

                                             crawl silent in darkness

                     on planked wooden floors, your blind fingers stroke 

                            each splintered groove, seek out

               every cranny, gather each seed –

 

There’s a doll in your pocket. 

She knows the way home.