she hunched down
low over the rim
of the crater
her nostrils flared
as she smelled
the scent of far away
of freedom
and the hint
of something else

could this
be the key
to doorway
high amongst
the willows

she couldn’t be sure
couldn’t trust another
false hope
after all of the years
she spent
huddled in fear
in her cave
plotting the perfect way
to swoop in
and retrieve the treasure
after so many years
of pining away

she snarled
pushed some of the larger rocks
down into the pit
hoping to crush
whatever it was she sensed
then cackled quietly to herself
and continued on
towards the ivory stairs