A Frisson of Glad

 

What's in a day? Hmmm, let's see... Wild

strawberries in bloom carrying silver droplets 

of dew stationed on the forest floor. An early 

morning trek through the woods to set up 

the day under rain-heavy clouds but feeling 

lucky this day. There's a friend with her three 

dogs, her 'boys' and her 'girl' ... a frisson of glad. 

Another, haven't seen him in ages with the 

elegant hound he treats like royalty. Valuing

this community treasure, a forested ravine

for its presence in our stultified lives of

pandemic alertedness ... a frisson of glad.

Almost out of the forest, the tramp's at an

end; there embarking on a trail another old

acquaintance forging ahead, soon disappears

as the atmosphere darkens and rain pummels

the landscape ... a frisson of glad for she

sent her husband to live in a care home, too

distracted and busy to care for his needs.

Gained the front door in time to see a next

door neighbour prepared to launch his scowl

into a daily walk around the block, taken by

surprise at the rain, pivots back to his house

... a frisson of glad for this is a man who never

speaks to a neighbour, forbids his wife agency

in thrall to his orders. We choose in our lifetime 

to be what we are ...frisson of glad. Bright

scarlet trilliums perched on the forest floor.