The Case for Winter Walks

A late December hike
on a cool and damp winter day
is a rare chance
for finding reckless sophistication
in a stripped-down Winter Woods.

The lichen on the Oak trees
and ghost leaves upon the Beech
can best be seen
touched
heard
felt
on days such as this.

Without walking through these woods
on a gray day like today,
How would I know what I missed?

 Wildlands are all the more Wild

on a day that promise sleet

and discomfort.

The woodpecker's thick laughter, 

all the more mad.

 The bright crimson flash

of cardinals darting through the trees

is deftly balanced by 

the deep leather embrace

of the damp leaves at my feet.

And if I slip on wet leaves

and fall on my pride

and I will

and I have

it is worth it.