dream walkings

2021 Marin County

It has been a challenging hike today. I sit now next to the fallen man. An old weathered tree that when viewed from a certain angle looked like a man mid-stride. Recent blustery, demanding storms must have finally finished him off. My perch is somewhat of a risk. It clearly inhabits all manner of insects and goodness knows what else. But this is a nice sunny spot with a wonderfully cool breeze and I’ve been on the lookout for a place to stop and reflect, to observe more closely without disturbing the forest creatures.

The owl calling softly nearby has stopped and the small birds, brown with their black hoods and masks have started up their conversation again. I finally spotted some large grey fluffy squirrels scampering from treetop to treetop. And once again evidence of Persephone abounds. Purple crocus and green shoots of all kinds sprout. I do love this hike with all the twisted tree limbs and fairy dwellings amongst the largest members of the forest. The butterflies have also come out to play – reborn and seeing their home in a new and I imagine fascinating way. Here and there animal trails break off to unknown parts and if one pays attention, carefully constructed dens are to be seen. Of old dead branches homes have been made, but which woodland resident is it? Clearly one that feels more at home on the ground than up in this courtship of the large and small, bare and lush family of trees. Could fox or coyote be so crafty?

The only complaint I have here is the dim noise of the freeway in the distance and the too frequent airplanes. But, if I listen to the wind, the birdsong, the trees rubbing together, I can almost block the man made noise out. Almost. No matter, this dendrophile is calmed and enchanted by my slow ambling today. It is a wonder to see the changes since I was last drawn here – and what autumn will transform.