As I stepped through the open white gates, the gentle rustle of leaves greeted me like a whispered invitation from nature itself. The path ahead, wound invitingly into the embrace of the forest. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows that danced beneath my feet. With each breath, I inhaled the earthy scent of damp moss and fresh pine that filled the air, feeling a sense of peace as I ventured further into this verdant sanctuary.
The gates, their paint weathered by seasons, stood as sentinels between the mundane world and the enchantment beyond.
As I walked, the forest enveloped me. Tall trees stretched their limbs toward the sky, their leaves forming a mosaic of green and gold. Birds flitted overhead, their songs weaving a delicate tapestry of sound. I followed the path deeper, each step revealed something new: a gnarled tree with roots that seemed to reach into the very heart of the earth. The forest remained still. I felt changed. The air tasted sweeter, the colors more vivid.
As I retraced my steps, I vowed to return. For this forest held more than beauty; it held magic. And so, with the rustle of leaves as my companion, I walked back through the gates, carrying with me the memory of a place where reality and enchantment intertwined.
Posted for Cee’s Which Way Challenge
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 
I love this! So well written.
Thanks Darlene, sometimes I surprise myself 🙂
A beautiful image and an amazing narrative! You are so talented Ritva.
Ihana, rauhallinen metsä, kutsuva portti.
That photo has a definite pull for me. An open gate and a path that curves out of sight – irresistible. It’s a really nice photo.
Thank you – it was a lovely place wander in
Gorgeous composition on your photo for this week 😀 Thanks Ritva 😀
Great image, great narrative – quite beguiling
You’re definitely a poet at heart, Ritva. Very nice image to fulfil Cee’s challenge.