The Sodden Forest

Though this is a northern hemisphere
mixed forest of conifers and deciduous
this late afternoon fall landscape has an
appearance of exoticism, it is dripping
with moisture, a light mist rises from
the brimming creek within the ravine
that bisects the woodlands, and there is
a shimmering dusk that magnifies the
autumn colours bedecking the canopy.
Chickadees and a nuthatch flicker from
sopping branch to branch chattering
between themselves in the language of
the boreal forest. Every gust of wind
brings down a fresh hail of bright
foliage on the forest floor. One leaf
is caught by a spider's web and it swings
back and forth rhythmically, wobbling
on the wind, suffused with rainfall. The
sky, an inverted bowl heavy with moisture
will shortly tip its ocean of rain once
again swelling the foaming creek even
more, sending the birds toward shelter
drenching the canopy and doubtless in
its fierce downfall freeing that leaf.