The crisp crunch of leaves
under foot as the cold chill
 of morning rips through
my shirt.
Another day opens over
forest ridge. 
The whippoorwill is
quieted. 
I smell a hint of freshly
tilled dirt.
The sky explodes
all around me
somewhere above
the forest shadows.
A dog barks in the
distance aloof and
uncaring of my peaceful
place.
A young deer is startled by
my presence
and leaps the brush rows.
I watch until he
is out of sight
and wonder aloud
to where he goes.
I trample through briar
and brush until I come
to a meadow
glistening with morning dew. 
All is quiet here.
God’s presence is all around.
Thoughts of my youth
come back to me
like pages from a book.
I had forgotten
how beautiful
this place was.
I had forgotten
how long it took
to walk back down
the leafy trail.