A Walk in the Woods

A walk in the woods on a narrow trail, alone,

winding and weaving among the trees,

the grasses sharp against my legs, ducking

under a low branch or hopping over

a downed tree lying across the trail

or a slow stream murmuring, a nimble walk

over and under and through, the slight rustle

of leaves shaking and the snap of twigs

under my feet, or overheard in the underbrush,

a path growing darker, denser, deeper

into the woods, silent but for a breeze whispering

and an unknown rustle beside me, a single

birdcall squawking, startled, or a bullfrog croaking

unseen, anxiety rising, fearing the unknown,

the familiar less familiar on this narrow trail,

a woodland walk taken alone, a journey’s quest

leading me home, different from when I first began.