Interlude Of Quietude Poem by Deanna Samuels

The roar of the constant flow of traffic on the 401
Could not deter the quietude of Provincial Park Darlington

Finally, the last of the recent snow had melted away
Leaving many paths and trails in a sludgy affray
Grass already recovering to a rich green hue
Giving a nice spongy feel to the foot and shoe
Forest brush remained in its naked winter attire
Too soon for spring buds to burst out and aspire
Trees too, bare, boughs stretched out, unabashed
Coniferous fronds sparkling, fresh from snowy clasp

Venturing further and deeper along the park trail
Discovered the edge of Lake Ontario's sandy shale
Water rippled gently to and fro from the shore
Washing over clumps of broken bracken as seagulls soar
A misty dank haze hung over the backwoods scene
Exacting a sense of solitude, seclusion and very serene
Attempted to walk the eco wildlife swampy trail
Peered ahead, much too muddy a route to try to scale

Undefeated, veered around marsh and through thick bush
Followed traffic roar to park road; walked on without push
Half hour trek with alternating levels of footways and hedge
Meandered through parking lot, a soft path to water's edge
Landscape had been laid out to general open space for leisure
Seats and picnic tables, a children's park and play area
The shore line had given over to a wide soft sandy beach
Path led onwards to snowless slopes much easier to reach

Passed by families and numerous couples out for a walk
A relief from staying indoors from current Covid-19 yoke
Dogs pulling at their leash to get a better, faster run
Children were laughing, playing happily, having outdoor fun
Relaxed a while to breathe the soft air, scanned the plateau
Descending sun reflected on becalmed waters of Lake Ontario
Time had quickly passed - needed to retrace so many steps
Kept to road taken and arrived at park gate, journey's end next

The roar of the constant flow of traffic on the 401
Never ending, eased and ebbed away on short home run

Written at Courtice, Durham, Ontario - 21st March 2020