We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

A Path in the Woods

from Utburd by Michael Bell

/

lyrics

It is cool in the trees, and dark. The heavy bough where I crouch over the path is worn smooth, for I have lived a long and patient life, and I remain still as I watch, so still that sometimes small creatures hop close to me, and soon they are squeaking and squirming between my teeth, for a moment. Then there are only the sighing woods, sleeping under the moon.

I hear him blundering down the path long before I see him, and I see very well in the dark. He is singing and talking to himself, in his fear. They are always afraid, even when the path is warm and sun-dappled, but in the whispering dark, when they find themselves late and hurrying, they feel that I am watching, and in their terror they sing and talk even though they are alone, as though their songs could protect them.

So he does not hear me when I descend. I follow him along the path a little while. When his warbling song rises the loudest I crack a twig for him, and he stops, straining into the dark, but he does not see or hear me. When he continues, I follow, and still he does not see or hear me though he knows I am there, and then he is squeaking and squirming between my teeth, deliciously, until again there is only the silent moon, and the silent, watching woods.

credits

from Utburd, released October 29, 2023

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Michael Bell image

Michael Bell Bellingham, Washington

A Loose-Fish and a Fast-Fish, too.

Some of this is music for video games. The rest is a fairly raw document of my ongoing attempt to find something new among the blinking lights in my studio at home.

contact / help

Contact Michael Bell

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Michael Bell recommends:

If you like Michael Bell, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring interviews with LA music scene pillar Kamasi Washington, and new London-based duo Mrcy.

listen now