Companions

Fall asters and goldenrod sit astride
the margins of the forest within
whose interior the raucous sound of
cascading water can be clearly heard
a cooling sound on a hot and humid
early fall day. A man and his dog
have chosen the day to roam the forest
stopping to linger by the crystalline
brook streaming down the flank of
the mountain, frothing and rippling
over the boulder-strewn streambed.
There where a drop creates a rapid
the water gathers, eddies and pools
before resuming its journey. And there
at the bank of the pool, the Golden
pauses then leaps into the swirl of
the beckoning pool and the man
inspired, pulls off his shirt and
follows, the two meeting at the
pool's centre to share the joy of its
fresh, cooling sensation of freedom
to revel in nature's unconditional offer.