I walk along a darkened path
The pines around me a harsh brown
My feet crunching fallen needles
My lungs fill with the scent of fall
Crisp and cool like frozen ice cubes
The mountains slowly leave behind
Their hues of deep blue and dark green
And replace them with broken browns
The setting sun creeps through branches
Turning the forest a deep gold
I happen upon a small pond
The water is murky and bleak
Its brown surface shifting in the breeze
I turn to see how far I have come
A dark cloud looms in the distance
Ominous yet calming to me
The darkness that is approaching
Brings the promise of sweet music
I return my gaze to the pond
And see my image in the water
I look into my reflection’s eyes
I think about things they have seen
All of the mysterious eyes
Those deep pools I have looked into
And seen the dancing galaxies
Vibrant within my own iris
I see my lips cold and deep red
And recall the joy of a kiss
What other lips and cheek and small
Babies’ feet have I kissed with these lips
Low rumbling brings me out of my trance
My thoughts suddenly interrupted
By the words of the world around me
A single drop falls into the pond
The beginning of a symphony
It causes ripples that expand
They make my reflection unknown




















