Winter Walk in Three Parts

Part 1

We went to the woods

That day in late December,

Unseasonably warm at 44 degrees

To find fresh air and

Walk a trail.

Leaves formed a brown quilt

With many hues

Of nature’s earthy color,

To cushion our steps

As we walked along

The rugged muddy trail.

Trees stripped of leaves

Stood like pegs set in a Styrofoam base,

The full internal pattern

Of branches, like trails,

Showing extensions

Of the tiniest stretch.

Kelly green and navy jackets

And a magenta stocking hat,

Offer contrast to the

Winter sticks of

Gray and brown. 

Part 2

A few days later

I returned

To the woods

Where we found fresh air,

A trail,

Laughter and discovery.

I tried to capture

The moments we shared –

But it wasn’t the same

Because you

Weren’t there.

Part 3

I’ll return, though,

Again

And again

Because we were there

Together.

You left a memory

On the trail and

In the woods

I can recall

To soothe my heart

While you are gone.

I look forward

To the next walk

In the woods.

I will return

And I will find you there

As I walk among

The trees.