Pitch black.
Black as night.
Blacker than black.
All is silent.
Eerily
silent.
Deathly
silent.
Waiting.
Fearing.
Expecting...
the worse.

The wind whistling,
winding itself
through
the trees,
seductively,
assertively,
aggressively.
Tension
building.
Coming
closer.
Gathering
pace.
Leaves
quiver.
Trees
shake.
A flash
of lightening.
A piercing
crack.
Dead above.
Eyes
wide.
Heart
stopped.
Frozen.

Then just as abruptly as it arrived, its gone.
Leaving the rain behind.
Pitter,
patter,
plop
on the tent canvas.
Soothing.
Calming.
Zzzzzz.

Dawn comes.
Birds sing.
Fresh morning dew.
All's well in the world once more.

Til the next time....

Restless Ulysses calling seaward
Wave-crest and trough on water
Bark seal slap rush
Carve one sweep, two sweep
Push and the wayfarer
Boot, back, and shoulder
A life neatly bundled going on
On and on and on; wander
Because no god is present
Without vastness, surrender
Fire lick crackle burn driftwood blue
On the sand in the gravel
And restless sailor calling seaward
Take the horizon to break
Spine and sinew ironmonger
The old and elderly will fondly remember
These days when we were strong
And the stars unobscured by smoke

I see the clouds above me,
They're floating in the sky,
I wonder what they see,
And wonder why they cry.

I listen to the fire,
While sitting in its glow,
Not a thing does it require,
But wood for it to grow.

Gently does the breeze,
Whisper to my skin,
I wander if the trees,
Mind about the wind.

I will not shut my eyes,
Wont miss one part of this,
The sun is giving the skies,
A loving goodnight kiss.

dewalt yellow construction stereo
marysville lumber coffee mug
plastic blue butter knife
fire
red solo cup
black metallic lantern
smoke and ash
trees towering above
red case containing coffee grounds
a blanket of sunlight

Egan Lake, how I long for you
transcended isotropic view
In my departure somehow I knew

I would never be back;

here with you.

Last night's fire is all but ash.
Pine needles flutter with the breeze.
At ease in a recliner,
outdoors,
open,
aware of the connection
between all things.
There is certainty in nature,
the promise that everyday holds change:
birth, death, growth, decay,
and yet it all remains the same.