into the cave

Some places stay with us long after we leave them.

“Entering the Cave” is the first poem from my book — a reflection on curiosity, fear, and the quiet transformation that can happen when we step into the unknown.

The imagery was inspired by a real cave in Ohio that became deeply tied to memory, introspection, and the feeling of standing at the edge of something larger than yourself.

I arrived at the cave
submerged in curiosity.

Facing the darkness,
confronting my fear—

What was I hoping to find?
What was I hoping to hear?

Echoes off of echo.

Emerging unharmed,
I found solace in the underworld.

Some places become part of us long before we understand why.