Hush, the Nocturnal Woods

 

Night has drawn its shade and it is dark

in the forest. It was late when we entered

in the twilight before dusk descends. As we

descended the ravine into the forest we came

across an acquaintance disposed to chat and

so we did, her large dog and our little ones

biddably patient, sensing they would shortly

be free to wander. She had completed her

circuit and ours was yet to be launched but

we talked and we talked and darkness soon

enveloped us as we bade her farewell; she to

street level and we to commence our daily

jaunt with our pups. We know the trails well

and so do they. We know that when winter

snow covers the forest floor an apricot

ambient light illuminates the forest interior

from the sky, but snow has not yet fallen.

Our small pups cannot be allowed off leash in

this nocturnal light for coyotes have returned

for the winter months to the ravine. Cautiously

we proceed, dimly making out tree roots and

protruding rocks, aided by memory and our

firm-booted strides as our little dogs dart

from side to side of the trail detecting odours

compelling their intent notice enhanced by

the day's non-stop rain drenching the forest.