By Moon And Star

Fifteen times the leaves had shorn

Trod by boy and beast

Kith and kin to fare him well

The youngling parted east

The rite was whet and worn with time

As sons dared risk unseen

Mere passage had convinced the herd

And none defied routine

Eyes, fixed afar a trial to come

Now, his suffering only begun

He journeyed deep into the woods

And took no drink or food

Desperate to become a man

'Fore stupor choked his mood

Carrion gloated at each step

In dreams the evil milled

Doubting every sickened thought

Depraved against his will

Eyes, turn inwards observe with hate

Now, this suffering will not abate

Growing weakness in his gait

He slumped beneath the sun

Each bleeding foot began to weep

Skin and bone was one

Rousing with a fitful gasp

He crawled on tattered knees

And bound for home by moon and star

His trial was complete

Staggers carried him to town

His joy was soon to shed

Kith and kin would greet him not

For each one was dead

The sixteenth leaves began to fall

Indifferent, they withstood

Now, a man with nothing left

He turned back for the wood