I’m Inside the Forest
Issue 19
Haley R. Zeller
2026
I’m Inside the Forest
September 12, 1987
It’s been twenty-one days, and I miss the old radio
that used to whisper-crackle before it lost the will to live.
I know my home is probably gone, but the trees block
the only other way back. The once-black pavement is now
covered in ash.
There’s a sign hidden in the changing leaves.
It’s jagged, hollowed scratching reads:
“This way to Lake McClave.”
It sneaks up on you as the guard rail trails
round the forest’s edge.
September 26, 1987
There’s no way out. I’ve lost the exit.
The ration meals are starting to rot; I’m so hungry
I could make a meal of mushrooms and tree bark.
When I peer into the forest, the forest
stares back.
August ??? 1987
There are knocks at the cabin door in the middle of the night.
The stove is warm, but all I can picture are bare, cold teeth.
They sink into the flesh of the forest,
and then they ravage mine.
??? 1987 ?
Send my family my regards.
Those damn savages will string me up soon. I know it.
From that angle, the forest will look a little different.
The sign will mock me:
“Th..s ..ay to L..e..ave.”
I’m Insidethe Forest
September 12, 1987
It’s ben twenty-one days, and I miss home. I miss the old radio
that used to whisper-crackle before it lost the will to live.
I know my home is probably gone, but the trees block
the only other way back. The once-black pavement is now
covered in ash.
There’s a sign hiddenin the changing leaves.
It’s jagged, hollowed scratching reads:
“This way to Lake McClave.”
It sneaks up on you as the guard rail trails
round the forest’s edge.
Sept…be…6, 198?
There’s no way out.I’ve lost the exit.
The ration meals are starting to rot; I’m so hungry
I could make a meal of mushrooms and tree bark.
When I peer into the forest, the forest
stares back.
Au…?.? 19…
There are knocks at the cabin door in the middle of the night.
The stove is warm, but all I can picture are bare, cold teeth.
They sink into the flesh of the forest,
and then they ravage mine.
???
Send my family my regards.
Those damnsavages will string me up soon. I know it.
From that angle, the forest will look a little different.
The sign will mock me:
“Th..s ..ay to L..e..ave.”
I’m Insidethe Forest
September 12, 1987
It’s ben twenty-one days, and I miss home. I miss the old radio
that used to whisper-crackle before it lost the will to live.
I know my home is probably gone, but the trees block
the only other way back. The once-black pavement is now
covered in ash.
There’s a sign hidden in the changing leaves.
It’s jagged, hollowed scratching reads:
“This way to Lake McClave.”
It sneaks up on you as the guard rail trails
round the forest’s edge.
Sept…be…6, 198?
There’s no way out. I’ve lost the exit.
The ration meals are starting to rot; I’m so hungry
I could make a meal of mushrooms and tree bark.
When I peer into the forest, the forest
stares back.
Au…?.? 19…
There are knocks at the cabin door in the middle of the night.
The stove is warm, but all I can picture are bare, cold teeth.
They sink into the flesh of the forest before they ravage mine,
???
Send my family my regards.
Those damn savages will string me up soon. I know it.
From that angle, the forest will look a little different.
The sign will mock me:
“Th..s ..ay to L..e..ave.”
Haley R. Zeller is a second year from Pittsburgh, PA double majoring in creative writing and publishing &editing. She loves writing, reading, and playing video games. Taking inspiration from books like House of Leaves and games like Darkwood, Cyberpunk, and Higurashi, she’s dedicated to experimenting with form and meaning and in her poetry.