Changes of Color
Back by D. Bently
The trees change color around me
leaves fall and I feel that each
floats like a feather to the moist ground
gracefully carrying us to the new year
yellow, orange, and deep red
surround me in this foreign patch of
grass-tall fir trees tower above
they creak as the wind blows them
this and that way…
pacific northwest winds swoop in
the cool breeze brushes my bare arms
my grandfather’s military green sweater
oversized, itchy wool, a bit musty
wraps me in memories
barefoot I stand,
soil cold and wet
pine needles cover the path
McDonald Forest is my place
of solitude this morning
I look up to the sky
guarded by tree branches
eyes closed I can picture
beyond the pine needles
comforted by the silence
I walk for about an hour
and then back again
wind picking up and the chill
makes me quiver and shake
my worries swirl around me
stolen by the air
time comes to mind
I try to push it out
forcefully, I fail
the hustle and bustle not forgotten
I was unaware for hours
In the breeze, in nature
nothing seems to matter
where I can just be stand
in this moment
d.t.k