Propellers ripped through the morning air. —Destroying the peaceful solitude. The yet conscious hikers stare on, unaware or uncaring of the violence unfolding. Circling like vultures, the shots rang out…Do it for good or do it for gold. Do it for likes or do it for strife…. —Each one howled and growled, yipped and they yapped, even the pups tried to keep up….—A lone soul listed with intent, just two hours before—— before they came, and took more than lives…
——but they also gave, they gave us this poem to read,  and a  lesson to teach….and a wish to one day live in harmony…

Pink, yellow and red fill the sky, thunder crashes! The skies open…—Ignoring its own fear, a squirrel runs past the stranger, an outsider of the swamp.  —a feeble attempt to preserve its own life. —The beat of a wing in the visitors ear, indicates the almost silent flight of an owl as it approaches its prey. A multitude of colors fill the sky, the storms fury rages on! The owl tirelessly searching… the squirrel perched, stands perfectly still… the visitor not knowing if it’s the changing of seasons, or a magical moment— meant only for him…The squirrel climbs, climbs, climbs , its own storm raging on…

Its roots spread far and wide, its canopy ushering in safety —to those who surround it! The golden tips of each branch merge as one —into the deep blue sky. Peace, love and unity surround it. Nature rejoices!

The hawk cries, wrens sing, owls call, pileated’s stay in tune, —rad -a-tat, tat —rad -a- tat tat —rad -a- tat tat... THE HAWK SCREAMS! The woods awaken…… the swamp glistens under the Blood Moon… A squirrel scurries. —Rad -a- tat tat —rad -a- tat tat -the song of the drum continues…. Calling out…. It’s now the sun that shines across the murky water. —The woodland forest has awakened!

The swamp, pre-dawn, has come alive! An owl lands fifty feet away. I swooped down to catch a better glimpse. —In that moment, I noticed movement. A distinguished couple, out enjoying the swamp as I was. —I noticed them earlier, gathering gear in the darkness, preparing for their trek. They approached with much respect, and I motioned them onward. Oh, the stories they shared with me, from this very swamp. In that moment, societal chains were broken. You see, they live nearby and frequently visit…Nature bringing us closer. I sat listening,  encouraged by the kindness of them. As I walked away, well wishes flowed freely. They had shared much with me about the swamp, things few others know.

It stands motionless, reflecting, only what we see. The glow of the  moon, the sheen of the sky, or the treetops covered in buds. The resounding stillness awaits us, —as we ponder life, I notice the empty stare

I Stood in the swamp, absorbing the deafening tone, its vibrations echoing through the forest floor. Embarrassed and sad —for what society has done… All I could hear, all I could feel was the earsplitting thunder….Jet engines, screaming by,  practicing for war that has not yet come. A place for solitude, momentarily destroyed —all of this, only to feed mans unconscious wit.