The Woods

can be dark and
secretive
with howls and scrapings --

wolves on the prowl
trees stretching
for a suntan

a stream chuckling in the
early morning --
outdoors a livelihood.

All are more
than decorations in this
mysterious land.

We monitor this beauty
with a careful eye
guarding it
for our grandchildren

an inheritance to cry for.

© Richard L. Provencher