The Fox in the Wood
...
Words in an order are fascinating
The idea that we could strike up a one-sided conversation, you choosing to continue reading while I form a picture in your head
I could speak of a fox, short orange and black ears perking up, twisting to the right to hear a sound beyond the range of human hearing as you walk through the forest
You turn to see what is beyond your awareness, and by the time you look back, there's naught but a shimmer of leaves as the spot once occupied now lies empty
The canopy of foliage overhead providing shade as your footfalls softly land on the groundcover, the summer heat fading to a cool midyear lukewarmness
You decide that now is as good a time as any for a break, finding a felled log nearby, worn from months of rain and animals, the grasses spiraling up the sides to reach for the errant beam of sunlight
Out of your pack, you pull a sandwich, constructed carelessly this morning when you set out to find some peace of mind, and just started walking with no destination in mind
You shut your phone off hours ago, and the early afternoon passes like the gentle breeze on your skin
You return to your thoughts as you finish your sandwich, and reminders of the world you've dipped away from slip in unasked for
You decide you've gone far enough, and turn around
It's time to head back.
You turn your phone on.