This old oaken
tree trunk
shaped as a
horned bear
from the east
and a full body
knob wrap trap
from the west
.
Sits silently
along the sandy lane
observing swallowtails swooping
millipedes meandering
ferns fluttering
and mosquitoes buzzing
.
While my wife and I
walk through the forest green
giving witness to the wisdom
of this wise ol oak elder
wondering whether
the blue and orange
mushrooms lining the trail
are fit for consumption
or plagued with poison
.
As the old saying goes,
“If you don’t know, don’t go.”
.
Best to stick with
the late season blackberries
and leave the forest
with a sweet and sour taste
ready to hike adjacent
to this old oaken elder
another day
This old oak tree sits along Trail #10 at the Indiana Dunes State Park. The trail also features several boardwalks overlooking the marshland bogs home to numerous water lilies and dragon flies.
Hope this poem helps bring the trail to you.
About the Creator
Chris Siener
Many poems and posts I write have a nature theme, with family or faith frame of reference.
Recently published my first poetry book called “The Art of Accompaniment, Prose, Pics, & Verse“ on Amazon. Hope you enjoy & thank you for reading.
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Comments (2)
Uplifting, love your piece and your writing skill is top notch
LOVELY!! I grew up in Illinois and we went to the Dunes but it was so long ago…I now walk the forests of the Pacific NW - have many poems on Vocal about the sights I see. I loved this because it is like the ones I do - photos of trees or flowers or birds…and out pops a poem! Well done.