Campsites and Firelights
The snapping and crackling of firewood breaks the silence of the crisp Autumn air. Sparks dance and flicker as thick gray smoke billows. One log falls as another takes its place. Far into the night crickets and frogs converse back and forth in the shadows of darkness. The eerie hoot of an owl alerts everyone to his presence. Dead, dry, crisp leaves blanket the ground, and branches snap and fall from age. The grass rustles behind me, and I turn, but nothing can be seen. Still the noise persists. The shadows dance as the flames erupt and die down. The smell of wood burning and the sounds of night bring a comfort to ones heart. Again the noise in the grass, still nothing, my elusive visitor has eluded me once more. Acorns fall hitting the ground, breaking the silence. A squirrel scampers across the path, as I catch site of him in the shadows, his head held high, searching. A morsel of food forgotten from the evening meal was left out and in the morning only dew dampened foot prints remain, as my elusive visitor came and went.
The fire now is only dieing embers, but with some kindling and a slight breeze, and a new log, all will be as before. The smell of coffee, eggs and sausage intermingles with each other and again awakens ones senses. Children are laughing, mothers and fathers are talking. Sounds carry like the smoke on the breeze.
A walk in the woods brings new meaning to life. The path is narrow but clear. A field mouse scampers for cover as my path crosses his. In the tree tops above, a woodpecker is tapping out a message for the whole word to hear. Several squirrels are about and scamper for cover as I come upon them. One stops in my path and proceeds to chatter at me as if to tell me to go about my business, as he is busy and cannot be bothered at this time.
Little yellow butterflies flutter from flower to flower, and the buzz of bees can be heard here and there. As I walk down the path, a break in the forest can be seen before me, and as I get closer, the sun peaks through the branches, the mist evaporates, and a clearing is before me. Stepping out into the clearing, the sight takes my breath away. Clusters of wild flowers bloom everywhere, all the colors of the rainbow. Birds are singing, and there in the midst of the meadow in the shadows of the pine trees, stands a doe and her fawn. She doesn’t see me yet, so I stand for awhile in awe and observe the wonder of it all. The colors around me are vibrant as the trees are in the full splendor of change. A creek runs full to the brim from previous rains, as it gurgles over rocks and gravel. A small dam slows the flow of water as it bubbles over the edge and proceeds on its merry way. Soon all this will change, as the snow will come and the leaves will have fallen to blanket the earth below, to protect the new growth of spring.
As I turn to leave, I think of all I have seen, and I smile. These are memories I will carry with me always. I will tell of the doe and her fawn to others, in front of the fireplace on a cold winter’s night, or on a rainy day when my grandchildren come for a visit.
Back at the campsite, blankets are rolled, and preparations are made to leave this wonder of all wonders. Scraps of food are left for my friends and water douses the fire of warmth and memories.
@ K.L. Farnum