Forest Nocturne



Forest Nocturne

I am easily disoriented by
by the shortening days
as winter’s breath creeps up
and darkness looms.
But I forget,
and take a walk
that is a little too long
for the allotted daylight.
As the sun begins to settle
behind the trees
and the shadows lengthen
into nothingness,
I feel a presence in the woods.
The warm earth cools
and the rising mist
veils the rock masses
and fallen trees.
And the audience begins to assemble
in their usual places
for the evening concert.
I am the uninvited guest.
So I hasten my pace

towards home.