Protector
I am stuck. Move? No! Don’t! Foolish!
Why risk everything now?
I am close; I can smell the reward of trial and error,
Lots of errors, scars and scratches.
My shirt is torn, my pants muddied,
After hours struggling through I am not sure what.
This landscape is foreign; I don’t know where I am.
I am trying to remember who I am.
Clarissa floats into my mind
She said come for me, please.
What will this damsel make of me?
Right now don’t care. It’s important to get there, alive.
The moon is my protector,
My loyal sentinels, tall and statuesque, stand guard
They have pledged to ward off all danger.
I crouch, among nettles and briar
Oblivious now to any physical pain.
Beneath my feet I can hear the sounds of night creatures who scurry about wary of this stranger in their world.
The earth loose and leafy is content to have me there,
Calming my agitated soul.
Sanctuary lies across the way.
My heart longs for succour.
But I must do this alone.
My love lies there,
Waiting, expectant.
A noise. I am spooked
Hesitant.
Move!
Go!
moonlit shroud
survives and protects
sanctuary
Morpethroad 
I like the way you have created rhythm and hesitation by playing with the length of the lines. Nice one!
Thanks Gabriella. Glad you noticed that. I do enjoy this challenge. I think it is one that you get better at the more you play with it.
In many ways, the moon acts as a protector indeed. nicely done piece
Thank you for your comment. Yes indeed the moon does serve that purpose.
Your writing is sublime.
That comment is very flattering. Thank you. It is humbling realizing your words can impact on those who read them. I feel very encouraged.
I’ve always loved the word sanctuary. It’s one of those words that if you didn’t know the definition just the way someone says the word, you’d know what it means. Great rhythm and cadence you have in this story. Very nice.
Thank you Steph. It is a great word, with a variety of applications.
I agree with the other comments. your writing is sublime, An excellent haibun and haiku.
I like this challenge Penny, the notion that I am to write in the moment is such a wonderful and difficult task. I look forward to the next one.
wonderfully written 🙂
Thank you. You are very generous.