December Walk

Uniform grey, the sky drips down

small drops, alighting on new green grass

resting, rows of neatly spaced crystals on the green blades of new life

each crystal reflecting back the grey sky

the bare dark branches of the towering valley oaks

their only green moss and lichens 

the rain so fine it steals nothing from the silence

only when we near the river
walking over shining wet rocks
the colors alive

one so black, a last red leaf of fall stuck to it
do we hear the water

rushing over rocks

then the call of a killdeer

the splashing and calling of a Merganser taking flight


12/12/09
Sacramento River, Shasta County