I said goodbye to the woods back when the house was sold Our little white aluminum sided log cabin hidden at the end of the driveway Having long ago packed for another place, I returned to say goodbye to the trees taking in the smell of the oak leaves and laughing at the big mulberry near the house it made for a summer of sweeping the driveway near several yard's worth of lawn on our property that I mowed every summer. There is a wooded area to the front where we used to play house or tag or hide and seek sometimes we just stood by the fence and talked wild wintergreen covering the ground those red berries still bright in my mind like the high place in the driveway where the ground was good for sitting just like my favorite clump of trees by the front fence. We had two lady slippers that bloomed every year like clockwork they were jewels among the leaves there. Our deer visited regularly to sample my father's vegetable garden along with my mother's flowers. I said goodbye to the trees then laying on the hood of my car looking up at the blue sky, remembering making sure I left last taking the sign with our family name closing the gate, turning left onto the street for the last time.
She walks outside, looks up to the sky, sees geese fly south for the winter, hears the sounds of cars flying down the avenue, watches the colors of the leaves and the grass - still deep green.
He notices the color of the sky, sees the patterns in the leaves and the tracks in the sand, senses woodsmoke from a nearby fire, finds a wildflower blooming brightly in the morning sun.
She finds a small stream off the inlet, walks along the path for a while, hears the scattering of a bird in the underbrush, tries to piece together the messages from her heart to her soul.
He climbs across the rocks, divided along the beach where the surf sparkles brightly, finds a small stone deep in his pocket, reminded of the song she whispered in his ear that morning.
She walks back along the path, waiting for the sign that carries her answers, shares conversation to cheer another, takes in the colors of the leaves and the grass - still deep green.
I like this path Its worn edges grass wedges in muddy oblivion Time passing my patience edges my head is amped past 5000 rpm Still I walk with that idea that waiting will pay great dividends Clock ticking ticking A mechanical finger snap waiting for that message to arrive beckoning forth the invitation yearning to walk that path next chapter burning a hole in my head so much unsaid yet swollen in my heart even more than my mindful waiting unhesitating
