Awakening The Forest

A day of oppressive heat

billowing white clouds

obscuring the sun

leaning through the cloud cover

penetrating and burning

the atmosphere

to a fiery furnace

no escape but into the

churning water

of the forest creek

washing the banks in

the fury of a maelstrom

unleashed by the

thunderous storm

of the night before heaving

low branches heavy with

rain, scant comfort to

the birds huddled within

the drenched confines

of conifers dropping

their cones on this late summer

morning, the air redolent

of marsh gases

the forest beyond claiming

the dusk of deep shade

under the forest canopy

drenched wildlife

denned and silent

until a woodpecker suddenly

punctuates the atmosphere

in a bold staccato and a

song sparrow responds with

the courage of an aria

awakening the forest.