The Thriving Forest

The trail forges its way steadily
upward on the treed flank of
the mountain. A switchback 
takes a sharp jog across the
mountain stream, tumbled rockfalls
offering nimble footage. As the trail
winds on the ascent it offers its
path of earth-encrusted sand
and sharp gravel mocking time
dessicating rock, over a network
of interwoven tree roots where
generations of alpine hikers have
trodden. The trail swerves to
meet the stream again, then 
verges off once more, blackflies
rising like minuscule harpies
an endless source of threat from
the blueberry bushes wildly
making their presence on the
margins of the trail, alongside
mountain sorrel. A gentle rain
patters over the green canopy above.
The forest thrives in its elements.