Woods At Dawn

A shroud of mist
hangs tightly to the valley below
as the tops of firs
spire through,
creating a mosaic
seen from the hillside above.
The heaven
with its crown of stars,
still wrapped
in that gray color
somewhere between dawn and night.
In the distance,
a lark calls to the wind.
Nearby,
his mate answers.
The dying embers of the campfire
glow orange
that announce its slow death
from the blaze it knew
only hours before.
The earthy smell of dampness
fills the senses
as the eyes of nature
peer out from tree stumps and thickets.
Across the lake,
which lays as a blue silk upon the land,
a loon’s cry echoes
then falls to silence.
I sit upon a log, quiet,
for God walks in the woods,
and I will not disturb.

Reflection

When I reflect upon my life already done
and summon the illusions
to come forth from darkened memories hall.
I sit and watch the play transpire
as if the lines had never been uttered,
or the cast of characters unfamiliar to my sight.

As a youth I had a Dog named Lady.
We went everywhere together that boyhood friend and I.
Across the meadow I named for her we’d romp
or by the cool stream we’d rest.
Every boy should have a dog to remember as a man.

Often I’ve asked,
what has happened to the lad who ran freely across fields,
hiking trails or daydreaming out the classroom window?
Then with an unsure look into the mirror I see myself older, taller,
but housed within there’s a boy,
still running among the wild flowers of Lady’s Meadow
on a summers day.

Where Have They Gone

When I was a bit of a boy
I’d sit on Daddy’s knee
And ask great questions.
Where is the end of the rainbow?
Is there a pot of gold?
And do the wee people really exist?
But most of all I wondered
What has happened to the magical beasties
Of our hearts and minds?
Those horn’d little steeds
Belongin’ to another age,
Lost to us since the flood
But ever present in our thoughts,
Where have they gone?
Hushed forever are the echoes of the piper
Playin’ beneath the moon
As unicorns dance.
No more do great hunters watch in awe
As herds pass by
In silent run.
No more the fair maidens
Do they charm,
Or graze in woodland glades
With peace and calm.
Where hides this creature
That mere thought gives us smile?
Are they gone for good
Or only in a child’s mind?
Daddy listen!
I hear brayin’ in the wind,
But Daddy’s gone
And I still search for the unicorn.

The Dog And The Man

Sofia Duchess of Muscovy 6/24/92-5/27/07 *

In Memory of a Loyal Friend.

As a boy, I had several dogs to romp and play with,
And then later in life, to remember in fondness.
There was Rusty and Scamp,
Companions of my childhood.
Lady and Bonnie Gay Heather,
The friends of my teenage years.
With love and affection they followed my every youthful move.
Every boy should have a dog to remember as a man.
Almost thirty years passed,
Until another spirit of the wild would come into my life,
And she brought all the comfort of my youth
With the pleasure of my age.
Every man should have a dog to bring out the boy.
Fifteen years of unselfish and unconditional love
Has left a hole in my heart by her passing.
I see her soft blue eyes in the fading light of evening
And feel her head upon my lap when all seems lost
From the burdens of the day.
Her memory greets me at the door
As tho she still waits expectantly.
I feel her brush upon my leg in passing
As I walk about the house
Missing her gentle love and faithful trust.
Even in her death,
She gives me comfort and love,
Whisper softly,
“Miss you Sof”.

*A Big Thank You to Kathleen Briggs who painted the portrait of Sofia.
Portrait In Pastels…pets and people.
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