The Trek Home
Muddy boots
on wet ground
as breath puffs
little clouds
into the air
and the scent
of decay
fills the senses
as the sun
begins to set
and shadows lengthen
to announce
day’s end
as temperatures drop
Gideon’s Challenge
Gideon’s Challenge
Sweet Dreams
When the day ends
and we fall into bed
with blue satin sheets
to pillow our heads
and the sandman comes
to knock us out cold
where does the world go
as we’re snoring so bold
how can we know
what possibly lies
out beyond curtains
and our closed eyes
Will the world wait
or will it move on
while we dream of sweet cream
and sugarplums
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge
Saying Goodbye
Never again
will you see these trees
that stretch just so
as the snow falls
Never again
will you crunch boots
over frozen ground
and wander
into the woods
to visit the deer path
that takes you east
and up
into silent meadow
frozen
and waiting
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge
Falling Snow
Evergreen boughs
hang heavy
as spines of green
are kissed in white
and the stillness
of crisp air
is filled with motion
as snowflakes
fall
to pitterpath
in whispers
of gravity’s kiss
as they land
scattered
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge
The Hike’s End
A breathless moment
of inner heat
and dew of sweat
skimming skin
as the trail ends
suddenly
and the rock’s edge
appears
without warning
as trees
that had flanked
the journey
are now behind
and sea air
slaps cold and wet
against flushed cheeks
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge
The Lure
Salt water
ripples
under a cloudy sky
reflecting back
the clouds
in gray shades
of green
that conceals
the dark depths
beneath
from view
and frigid waters
whisper
“Dive In”
Twisting the Leaf 