in the dusky dimness
of the
days
remaining shade
and shadow
deep within the mountain
woods
a clearing beside a brook
I found
good place to build a fire
and spend the night
autumns rapid steps
informing
as
clusters of black walnuts fell
a
dull thumping staccato sound
firstly bonneted
then
swiftly cloaked
by colored leaf’s
the squirrels would seek them out
the hooting of an owl
a tangible reminder
of quickening nights
approach
skeletal twigs and limbs
collected
snapped to size and stacked
enough to make a fires heat
a small defense
against the
coming frost
a bite to eat
provisions hung
from yonder poplar
bough
my sleeping roll
becomes a sheath
for both my rifle
and myself
precautionary measure
should some nocturnal
predator
decide
to
demonstrate
ambitious
personal
demands
halfway through it’s cycle
a waxing moon began
to seep
between the trees
making a lighted stage
of this small open space
my eyes begin to flicker
along with fires flame
breathing
growing lighter
a
peaceful slumber
clutches me
in the warmth of my content
giving up the day I will
disappear and
sleep throughout
the night
awakening at dawn
buried within a fertile fog
my voluntary solitude
never more complete
blinded in the sightless air
in stillness I did listen
considering a muffled
sound off into the distance
hearing and instinct
my only
functional
device
taking
control of
my
anxious breath
as
the
audible
virulent
tangle
of splashes and growls
came nearer down the brook
cleaving
imagination
visualizing
something large
and ponderous
catalytic
pulse
increases
my
muscles
all
contract
a faint beacon appears
from embers beneath
the smoldering ash
the first indication
of dismantling haze
apparitions in
shadows slowly emerged
assailed and despairing
unearthly at first
a moment ago
so
empty
of all
it's many
sights
the forest
now
begins to
reappear
clear is my
view
but there is nothing
whatsoever there
just remnants of
All Hallow’s Eves
haunting nightmare...
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Agreed - this is beautifully woven imagery with a natural flow, Steve