Woodland Hunt

Warmly and tenderly embraced by
spring, the woodlands' green haze of
days earlier has been transformed
into a voluptuous green canvass,
sheltering animals, birds and insects
from predatory view of the aerial
carnivores who fly above the fresh
green canopy sighting their prey.

The warming sun filters hazily
through the reborn landscape,
prodding late-spring wildflowers
to flaunt their heady-fragranced
presence. Wild cherry and apple,
and hawthornes have replaced the
Saskatoon berries. Bunchberries
blithely shine white floral faces
among the yellow, mauve violets.

Hawks circle and screech high-
pitched hunting calls. Crows flap
lazily, their wide, dark wings bold
against the perfect, untouched blue
of the sky. Cardinals whistle sharp
sweet songs. Butterflies, large and
small, slip through the languid air.

A tiny chipping sparrow, new from
its nest, fears flight, huddling for
comfort on the ground, wondering
where its home now will be, in that
wide, clear sky, the placid, newly-
leafed trees. Its tardy adaption
may soon sign its unfortunate fate.