Free Range

One foot places carefully

beside the other

manoeuvres a little unsteadily

in the morn of an early sky.

Forestry crews to soon arrive

lots to do with

trees spilling over

into this little valley.

The sky sparks and crackles

hiking put off for now

and so too front end loaders

unable to lumber

away with downed trees.

Autumn is such a colourful

time of year sweeping

like a ribbon with the wind

twisting and turning--

joining the fray is

a whiskey jack

its breath of nature

adding to the menu. Nearby

the shock of a shotgun                                                                                                                                    It’s

adds confusion

to a mix of wilderness land.

The scene is soon adrift

with re-location the reality

of being.

A gather of voices – children

above the rest. The

carving knife finalizing an

act of togetherness—

from a brown delight

enticing smells captivate:

a turkey-voice whispers on

the large dining table–

(just before the knife descends)

What does

“free range” really mean?