The road unpaved, waved in winding red
high pines unfettered, buried feet under needles – strawed
Warmth of sap, fragrant, piney bled
Lithia springs ring clear, a tumbled water song
Owl tree softly spoke
to newborn lily fawn, caressed by mourning cloak
Sun begins to edge the hills
wings rise, and flies the morning fog
Fritillaria bends the light, leaning into
daybreak’s mantra song
* Mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) – common butterfly, found in many parts of the world