The Living Forest

Wind ruffles the emerald foliage of forest

trees newly emerged from their winter moult

as a new season's agreement on occupancy

commences. Returning hawks circle above

the canopy lazily buoyed and carried by 

the obliging wind, whistling their appreciation

for the lift. Elsewhere in the forest cardinals and

song sparrows offer their singular performances

not to be missed which the wind agreeably

carries, along with the staccato of a woodpecker.

None among them mind the wind or the cool

temperature. The creek running below the

ravined forest still hosts the temporary presence

of reverse-migrating ducks until they exhaust 

the store of tiny fish that aspired to adulthood. 

Within its ripples scoot water striders, while

Damselflies flit between water and bank 

greened with buttercups, fleabane and blackberry 

blooms. The masts of conifers and deciduous alike

speak in clacking voices as the wind drives

them together in social communion.  Below, in 

a singularly limited meadow flit bees and 

dragonflies, their iridescent wings ablaze in 

the sun. Solitary red squirrels fling themselves 

through the understory, their diurnal haven 

from the predatory eyes and talons of foxes

coyotes and slumbering owls. The forest imbued 

with the mastery of life in all its varied forms 

thrums the mystique of nature's protocol.