Lichen

Rain shudders down in dewy drops as sparrows light on branches

Trees low over and bright verdant vines continue to climb

Gray fog casts a blue darkness over my forest

As lichen gently clutches the cedar stumps

And I am grateful

With each step a patch of moss bears my footprint

With each glance my eyes rest on a fertile rotting limb

With each breath I catch the scent of evergreen and must

With each word the sound dissipates into the wind

And I am grateful