In the night I awaken
to the sound
of south-east winds
caressing the trees and branches
as the first fall storm
announces it’s arrival.
As early morning light
exposes the world
to the blessing of sight
I notice it’s raining
not water
but cedar fronds
red, dried, and falling
gently covering everything
whispering the consequence
of a long dry summer.
Soon the rain will come
and the forest will drink
it’s long awaited fill
as salmon celebrate their destiny
swimming up swollen creeks
to mate, birth, and die
then joining the cedar fronds
collecting along the shoreline. Oct. 4, 2014
