Sunday, August 14, 2016

THE SUNDAY FOREST, A PHOTO ESSAY IN TEN VIGNETTES



WATER AND SUPPLIES IN KNAPSACK

There were not a lot of vehicles at the edge of the entrance way. Maybe two or three. Near the beginning I passed some blue flowers and one single Tiger Lily that somehow survived the prolonged and excessive heated periods whilst the other flowers wilted and eventually disappeared near there. I noticed that the rain that had come and stayed through the night made a million specks and flecks in the sand and dirt. Like bullet hail, like freckles, like ancient hieroglyphic markings that said something or other. We passed early on two hikers,- two women,- but they must have had a calm and even temperament as both dogs hardly bothered with them though Tessa did have to let out a bit of her signature bark. After exchanging some perfunctory pleasantries, we continued onwards.


THE BEGINNING OF THE PATH WHERE THE MOSS TRUNKS STAY



At the beginning, the real beginning to where the forest becomes thick, adventurous, even a bit enthralling, - there are logs that lay across the path. I think the farmer put them there intentionally to try and ward off, if even in spirit or emotion, - any problems with motorized vehicles. After taking a quick photograph or two, - we hopped over them and made our way into the larger forest where the valley, the side fields, and the larger open and circular space wait on the sides and the ending.











THE SHADED AND MEANDERING WAYS

The knapsack full of water bottles and a dish, plus the weather a bit cooler but still on the hotter side, - we kept to ourselves, maintained a low and easy pace. With this leisurely mindset and body-set, - the mood and such remains calm and we don’t exude extra excited and excitable energies. It’s also, against accepted logic and reason, a form of respect for the forest, the animals, the snakes and frogs, and any possible spirits such as devas, sprites, fairies, angels, or other that might be around. You can’t go wrong with trying to be quietly graceful and calm I say, because though it might not offer full protection from all things, - the lesser of two evils might happen and besides, - the proper intention is there. 





PLAYS OF LIGHT ON LEAVES AND LIMBS

That being said, - I observed the play of the sun filtering itself through he trees and leaves.
It’s like an ocean that came onto land,- and in the beginning was ferocious and strong,- but now has calmed,- and bits of this water-light-energy- like a soft kiss,- rest on some of the leaves and limbs. On I go, and for a split second try and remember the winter, the play of frost and ice,- of snow and trunk- or the deep autumnal hues living on leaves fallen and then scattered again to the skies in the lonely almost vexatious wind of the otherwise empty afternoons.









 OPENINGS TO LARGER AREAS OF FIELD, FLOWER AND SKY

Soon enough, - for it’s not a long, long way, - we enter the larger fields and there is nobody saves for an old tree and some ancient relic tractors- rusted, still somehow proud. Flowers, - a new sort of flower, feral but still intricate in its design, has taken over the field. I swear there is also a scent that I have smelt before,- but for all my might,- I am not proficient at identifying smells or even smelling smells, however beautiful or aromatic others claim them to be. But I can see,- and the blue sky, melting clouds like white butter, verdant wild grassy places and terrene sandy ones also,- are more than enough to assuage any restless spirit for at least a while.





THE ESOTERIC INSECTS AND OTHER

The insects work on these flowers like crazy. I have seen, and continue to see, so many varieties- and almost always something new. They all live will together. We could learn from them. There are worker bees, wasps, mud wasps, beetles, birds such as blue jays and woodpeckers and cardinals, - even hawks and brown doves, - plus butterflies, moths, turtles, and snakes. More more- there is the coyote, the fox, and the deer. Now, I hear a buzz, have upset or startled something, and a dragonfly, black with white dots,-(it is so busy there with all these creatures), actually bumps into my chest on the way to somewhere else!


DOGS DELIGHT IN THE OPEN ON SMALL FLOWER FILLED SUMMITS

So I wait, - give my furry friends some water. The brown and black Sheppard Dobie cross rests, drinks. The grey and white Huskie Collie Cross is so proud and spirited that he will not sit, nevermind lay down, nor will he drink, even a sip. He knows the water containers, the sounds,- what is there- but wants to run, explore, see, jostle about- chase a rabbit, a squirrel- chase the wind, chase something more ephemeral sometimes it seems- chase a spirit maybe, chase the day,- chase the  soul or daemon or very core of the day’s essence.


BERRY AND BERRY

I see that the pathway that begins out is a bit parched and lacking still. In other years the plants were fuller and the red wild flowers in the trees that look tropical were in the past to be found more abundant. But no worries,- there are still interesting things- raspberry bushes,- plus some other weird berries that I might not have seen before- almost like matted green BB’s or simple small spheres- quite unreal looking for their perfect roundness.








 PLAYING ON THE RIDGES

Those dogs run on the ridges of a sandpit, - and it’s a regular routine for them in all seasons. They know it well. Going out, after that, - near the beginning, a peculiar thing happens that has not before. We are near the end and in the shaded parts when the huskie senses something far off and takes himself away like a bird in flight. I and the other follow, and I think to myself,

It is too far for him to have heard or seen or even sensed a squirrel. It must be that coyote, that beautiful and curious coyote that was following us a few months back…

 But then I see two shapes in the distance moving, and the brain cannot decipher what they are. So odd to see these shapes moving like that,- that for a millisecond I thought that finally all this talk and writing that mentions sprites, devas, guardians, astral entities, has finally made such a thing,- good or evil I did not know- appear! But then I realize it is people. A couple, - either trying to sit and enjoy the atmosphere on the far side of the forest where the tall hill begins in the open, - or possibly practicing more activites. I retrieve the dogs and tell the guy sorry about that, - and he says no worries and everyone sort of goes their own way again.


WANDERING OUT BACK TO THE LARGER WORLD

We wander out under branches that have arched over for the weight and wind of the storm. We leave the bugs and bushes, the animals and possible spirits, the rusted tractors and the valley all. We leave the private lovers to their day and way. Hopping back over the moss covered log on the shaded pathway and begin to re-enter the true and vast daylight. The moss log is soon out of sight, the moss log that once marked the beginning, but now marks the end.







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