Spring at Big Meadows

[Atehequa]

Wet shoes and pant legs
Tracking through meadow grass and morning dew
Here and there tall pines stand like dark sentinels
Distant lapis lazuli hued ridges come into view
All is quite this cool late spring morning

Memories still vividly fresh
Pen upon paper, black ink into words and verse
Shared from the heart, an experience described
Where willingness to share seems a poet’s curse
Who could comprehend this state of being ?

Across this broad meadow
Late morning argument between blue jay and crow
Contesting territory already ruled by the hawk
Off hunting fat voles where the blueberries grow
Unpredictable flitting, barred wing feathers and words

Entering the shadowy forest
Twitching ears and white tails, the resting deer
Slowly rising, snorting, stomping a black hoof
The buck has no threatening antlers this time of year
Sincerely apologizing, then continuing on my way

There is nothing to question
Who could remonstrate a wood thrush’s beautiful song
Rare patches of sunlight upon boles and forest floor
In the wilder green places, I sometimes belong
Nature abounds on either side of this winding path

In the wilds, I am never alone
Sharing good company with so many living things
Forest spirits, timeless, their presence is felt
Having little expectations of what this day brings
Nameless places, new sights, unfamiliar sounds

At night our fire burns bright
Now back at camp with friends, I blissfully hide
A nearby screech owl occasionally issuing frightening wails
While far beyond our camp bobcats quarreled and cried
This night in which we revel is not just ours

Guests of the wild spirits
Where big bears and tiny spring peepers live
In the woods near Big Meadows, camping for awhile
Taking no more than what Mother Nature will give
She has sweetly embraced us on this fine spring night

Screeching and crying finally over
Now we are entertained by spring peeper trilling
Creature comforts, pipes are lit and stories told
In our big ice chest there is more ale chilling
Deer grazing in the dark behind our camp

[david]

what a journey you took me on...D

[Atehequa]

Thanks. Glad to travel in good company.