Rite of Passage

My trial took place
on the first night
of the full moon,
near the bone rocks.

He led me out
and left me there,
night-blind and cold,
dared me to stay

right through till dawn
in that cursed place,
now home to old
ghosts and new dead.

Child I was when
he left me, but
I woke at first
light, as from a
dream, now made a man.