For Justine

All I want
Is to be alone
–No one talking,
No one asking—
Alone in the quiet
Of nature’s cradle,

The music of a
Quiet creek’s cascade,
A consoling crow’s caw,
And a croaking tree frog chorus.

I want to hear
My hand-tied fly
Kiss the water,
Teasing unsuspecting trout.

I want to sip
Campfire coffee,
Capture the clouds
Over an orange sunset,
Breathe the scents
Of the forest floor
And just be me.

You can read more of John’s writing at Darkness of His Dreams.