Catskill Mountains Calm
Hiking through the forest
a quilt of flaxen leaves rustles beneath her feet.
Baby pines grow entangled in branches of old oaks
fallen leaves nourish tender sapling
protected now
winter is approaching.
Walking through the snapping bramble
her ankles twist on rocks and twigs
looking for her reflection searching a pond nearby.
The dirt road was unfound. Afraid to lose direction
she’s been lost in these woods before.
In pursuit of the northwest trail
dead branches snap as she pushes by.
She retreats back, searching road markers-
as an eagle flies over her.
Moments later a blue jay crosses her path, two good signs.
The sun shines through autumn’s painted leaves
a mosaic in earth tones.
She returns to the mountains for quiet time
to escape the city speed cameras,
to drive 40 without a fine,
to breathe the air of pines.