what a beautiful day

for a walk

the sky leaden   the mist cold and real

tramping through the woods   fallen leaves

sodden and golden

buckbrush and stick-tight   blackberry

and multiflora rose   happy to grab

a passing pant-leg or two   

creeks running hard   talking their bubbly fast talk   

looking up to see a hawk   then a pair   jumping

a six-point buck   coming on

a half-dozen does   nearly stepping on an armadillo

that looks even colder and slower that i   finding a calf

along the neighbor's fence

cold and alone   separated from its mama   walking it back

up the hill to a happy   belly-warming   reunion   what a day

for a walk   coming home   boots and socks

soaked through   chilled to the bone   ready for something warm to eat   

a fire in the woodstove   a book to read    maybe emerson   

something of weight to rest on my chest   as i fall asleep in my chair