a clearing

[Mark A Becker]

a clearing

lost off-trail, a dense tangle
of brambles confuse my path
along an icy creek

white-tailed deer drink
as a solitary grey fox appears
to vanish like vapor

crows issue terse commands
from an ancient oak that stands
sentinel among the pines

nothing I notice
seems to notice me
wandering deeper in

I followi the creek
around the bend until
I reach a clearing

raise a finger to test
the wind, take a long
slow breath

ease my mind
into the stillness
of a snow covered field

a clearing

lost off-trail, in thickets
of brambles
along an icy creek

white-tailed deer drink
as a solitary grey fox appears
to vanish like vapor

crows caw commands
from a tall oak that stands
sentinel among the pines

nothing I notice
seems to notice me
wandering deeper in

following the creek
around the bend until
I reach a clearing

raise a finger
the wind, take a long
slow breath

ease my mind
into the stillness
of a snow covered field