Atmosphere

This early morning the sky
is clear but the sun no longer
penetrates the green shield
of the forest canopy. The 
oppressive heat of the day 
is yet to generate its humid 
closeness. Above, unseen and
riding a brisk wind, a hawk 
shrieks, warning voles and mice
that the diurnal hunt is on, no
respite from the night's surprise
captures by the barred owl
whose presence so offends
the resident crows rising and
circling, cawing their aversion
in a rage of mob distemper.