A Forest’s Chorus

And on this pleasant summer June’s morn,

I drift –

in my footing and in my smile,

as I gallop among the forest’s carpeting.

The velvety moss cushioning my glide as I enter,

and then presenting me with a seat

upon the collapsed limb it encloses.

Then upon my ankle,

see here,

there fashioned himself a little caterpillar –

and so sleek and nimble he was in his ascent!

A shiver overcomes my bones,

my flesh pulsating with its tingling legs marching to its own tiny tune.

I imagine a symphony of insects within this forest bed!

And in procession,

as if to follow in whimsical order,

trotted along 3 small, brown-spotted snails -

hurriedly, though mucky,

in pursuit to the ticklish feet before them.

Shine on, little snails! Keep at it!

And, oh!

As if the ants had heard the thunder

of this miniature forest parade I am witness to,

here they come!

Stylish in color –

trod on brown wood ants!

Come forth ants so black!

Fire ants! Assemble in line!

Oh, this glorious ensemble on my scuffed and dirty knee –

how nature’s blessed insect colonies

bless me this dawn with their fruitful delight!

And look! See here!

That monarch with its wings

burning bright as a summer California sunset;

oh, how she purrs in my ear like a fiddle out of place –

but ever so welcome all the same.

There is no rhyme to a forest lullaby -

everything in motion,

everything abstract in its own spectrum of life.

A dear fellow of a bee struck my vision;

and behind him,

a tiny mosquito humming faintly.

I can hear their splendid songs of a summer in its prime

as they chase upon the sweat beads racing down my arm.

And, in the outro of this June forest chorus,

those bark beetles and jewel beetles come out of hiding

(from under this tree limb I settle upon);

and in wishing me a blessed day,

they ceremoniously move on.

A whispering ballad that fades like an echo.