Forest

a sheltered hollow-
in the footsteps of winter
the last melting snow
–
mid april-
morning grass
crusted with snow

a moss covered oak-
the sound of a woodpecker
hollow in the trees
–
echoes of prayer bells-
an ancient shrine
forgotten

sleep winds through the trees-
a woodland lullaby of
peepers and croakers
–
a veil of clouds-
crickets and frogs
escort the moon

a forest clearing-
under a thicket the faun
waits for her mother
–
gauzy moonlight-
the woodland’s heart
whispers my name

bedding down the coals-
the warm glow of the campfire
keeps the wolves at bay
–
the full worm moon-
glowing yellow orbs
in the shadows

slowly cooling sheets
echoes of the alarm clock-
bare traces of you
–
cold sunrise-
I wake up
alone

the forest silent-
a skeletal hand rises
from the black water
–
winter’s death-
dwelling beneath
dark brackish waters

afternoon sunlight
casting long winter shadows
through the evergreens
–
woodland trails-
a scrim of ice
underfoot

reaching for the sun-
all those years spent climbing up
just to fall back down
–
scorched earth-
blackened stumps
to the horizon

the night fog a shroud
fallen from your bare shoulders
draped about your feet
–
a vernal pool-
naiads bathing in
the moonlight