Follow the Creek

Gravel traces through the dog park: this trail

is nice if you are trying to bike or walk your dog,

but a small path breaks through

the trees beside the open field.

On the other side there is a creek—

large, flat rocks form another trail

to follow the water. The creek winds through rocks and thins,

but soon becomes deep and wide.

Follow long enough and the rocks break down to pebbles.

Water overwhelms the footholds

 but you can hold branches like outstretched hands,

slide along the muddy edge,

and find a dapper-looking bird

who wasn’t expecting anyone. 

Green Dome

There’s a short tree

on the side of a hill

that's very inviting to climbers;

the low, broad branches

are easy to keep feet on.

It has no sap to stick to fingers and

there’s just enough space

between the branches to see the sky.

At least seven could fit

on the branches and the leaves

create a green dome to huddle in.

Summertime Trail

This path behind the woods

near the creek,

 is always sunny when I visit it.

Tall grass beside the path is filled

with snakes, spiders, ticks, and deer.

There’s a place where a person can stand unseen

—a loop of a path by a turn in the trail.

It’s a secret corner, covered

by the branches of bushes

and trees, but still with the sounds

of screams and splashes

from the nearby lake.

To the left there is a field of grass

rolling into a forest.

To the right there is a grove

of thin trees; loose but deep.