R&R

a coiled greeter startled me so I ran past
to take in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature
fallen leaves floating across the path of pebbles
tall grasses breaking through the water
trees half bare emerging from the banks
reflections of the sky peeking through the creek
scents of water and algae in the air
intermittent clicks, rattles, chirps, and shuffles from inhabitants

moments pass

power lines atop the trees
vehicles cross creek bridges
carbon, sulfur
a train whistle in the distance
a plane flying overhead and a siren wailing past
clicks, rattles, chirps, and shuffles drown
two communities forced to be one
by the most powerful of the two

the coiled greeter wasn’t greeting at all
it lays in it’s final resting place