Winter Idyll

Light snow flurries spiral gently to the
forest floor long since hidden under a
snowpack from many earlier snowfalls
adding its loft and bright crystalline
beauty to the landscape. This an urban
forest accessed by a widespread community
prepared to delve into the ravine that holds
it in perpetuity for the animals and birds
that thrive within its generous acreage
and the people who live within distance
of access to this natural treasure they all
share. It is where a small proportion of
the population finds itself in search of
nature and tranquility and the opportunity
to feel free and unhampered by the calls
of urban life where it is incumbent upon
them to be pressed for time and distance
oppressing the soul searching for meaning
in their lives. Here they wander among the
trees, along a waterway, clamber the hills
 descend the valleys aerating their lungs 
and freeing their limbs to recall of youth
and meet distant neighbours valuing and
searching for solace from the distractions
of their lives. It is where their beloved pets
run free themselves to commune with their
own replenishing their shared optimism in
the existence of the nature of all things.

Practising to Deceive

So much has been written in
nostalgic praise for nature of the
benefits inherent in the freedom to
move unhindered by the strictures of
modern life, to feel the cleansing breeze
of forest-scrubbed air redolent of fall
foliage, the tannin crisp and tangy
the forest canopy a brightness of 
greens, golds and rust; red maples
a sturdy blaze of heated shades
reaching to the blue, blue sky, a
rain of yellow birch leaves lazily
descending to the forest floor, an
enrapturing landscape inviting the
opportunity to flex urban-lazy
muscles and abandon limbs to the
liberty of free movement. The couple
couple, able at last in their leisure
years to indulge their passion for
nature's wholesome ambiance extract
themselves from their vehicle to breathe
the purity of the forest, stepping toward
the beckoning trail, marvel at the
glorious shades of rainbow colours 
slowly stroll a hundred yards, take
quick photos of one another, rictus
smiles of pride backstopped by
falling foliage, and with that proof
assured, sigh and swiftly drive off.