Originally published June 2008
Mensa Montage Newsletter, Toronto Chapter
Algonquin Child
He gallops ahead, over stump and root
Challenging the forest to be at his will
He listens with his eyes to the still
Beating a rhythm with pounding feet.
See! The yellow-bellied sapsucker laughs
Feasting aloud on broken down trees
The child of the forest sinks to his knees
While chipmunks dance gaily before him.
Dipping, turning, rising again the path sweeps
Under a canopy of gold and green and brown
Floor of mushrooms, reds and golden air of sounds
The forest breaths, it is alive.
My old feet and tired shoes are laboring hard
The path challenges me to relive once more
Like the child before me- sure footed on the floor
Glide through its secrets with ease and wonder.
I am the black bear we see in the meadow
Keeping my vigil silent, proud and still
Allowing the cub-child to tumble at will
Into a new world with every step.
