Trailscape

 

 

 

Perhaps the purpose
of leaves is to conceal
the verticality
of trees
which we notice
in December
as if for the first time:
row after row
of dark forms
yearning upwards.

From Vertical by Linda Pastan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumnal starkness won out today as we wrapped our way through a trailscape of flora survivors - and it appears that team conifer cleaned up earlier than usual this year. But the skeletal remains of the shedders - alders, poplars, maples, and so many others - seemed proud, even lofty, as we made our way through their bleak gauntlet, with Casey running down an occasional squirrel, with off road feints to make it interesting.