Musings From The Pines Poem by Mike Smith

As I sit on a bench in the middle of white pines state park I can't help but draw an astounding corollary to my favorite all time movie; namely Forest Gump. Momma always said you can tell a lot about a person by they shoes. Where they goin, where they went.
I'm wearing dirty grey colored filas. Running shoes. Deeply cushioned, but light, and breathable. They serve their purpose. All things do. My socks are inside out. Gray colored And 1's I believe. They keep my filas from smelling like my feet. And both the shoes and socks keep my feet safe from the dangers of the Red Squirrel trail..
The dangers aren't many. The poison ivy is abundant sure, but not present on the trail. The gravel is somewhat sparse but it's worn into the soil so that the jagged edges are visible and avoidable... I suppose there may be a tick or other critter that could find a home between ones toes... But it seems like a long shot. And I would notice said tick before he did much damage.
I am happy on this bench. At home. At peace. Gratified, grateful blessed. I am a man among nature. A human in his natural environment.
Now approaches a walker. Female by the voice for I haven't looked up to see. The footsteps are light. She is accompanied by a man. Either a brother or husband. They aren't concerned with me. Simply wrapped up in a stroll... Content. As am I. And relieved that the distraction has passed.
I want to tune into the noises. The birds, the bugs. I know water flows near here. Field run off from corn and bean fields... Some people find it unappealing.. Due to the chemicals and the fertilizers and such... But to me, it's water. And life follows water around.
Life is good. Perhaps the best thing in fact. In all its mysterious forms. It is a good thing. Even the pests. The mosquitoes are food for bats and spiders. The poison ivy defends trees from lumberjacks. The Lumberjacks create products for building and burning. We are all crucial to one another's survival
The balance rests on a whim.. The balance of life. It's a circle, however vicious and unyielding. Life goes on. Life finds a way. But only near water.
Forest spent his share of time on water. As a shrimp boat captain. Bubba Gump shrimp is what they got. It's a household name. Famouser even than captain Kangaroo.
No kangaroos on the red squirrel trail. In that regard. Not so much as even a squirrel as far as I can see or hear.
I missed the woods.. Or maybe it missed me. Either way we're reunited.
I have to go now. I'm meeting a girl and her daughter