The Hike

it's a half-day's hike

on the trail

between the

two marked

points on

the map

a light rain

is falling

the old

trail markers

have faded

some are gone

i wonder

at odd moments

if the directions

are real

everywhere

birds are singing

others respond

with a similar song

we walk along

mostly in silence

you admire

the view from

each crest

i listen to your

footfalls

at intervals

i re-knot

the laces

of my boots

two deer

appear on

the rise ahead

i imagine how

we are each born

like the deer

with a heart

that knows what

it wants

what it needs

until the journey

takes the words away