earth note 294

marshall trail
in the middle of the northside
of pittsburgh
could have fooled me
     (because i wanted to be fooled)
into thinking i was hiking along
a ridge on the continental divide
in northern minnesota

cept for a big 6-point buck

who never saw a minnesota winter

of course the trees are different too

plush maples and oak and black cherry

won't do too well in the midst of
tamarack     white birch and a lot of wetlands

nonetheless

the earth & stones
have their own stories to tell
i'll keep listening for them
     the moss on the outcrops
     stay green all year

& when you inhale

& realize it's autumn
let the fear go
     let the meditation begin

--- e b bortz