the wizard was not planning to find shelter that night
he had been surveilling an elf whose movements were not right
but a storm came up that contained pounding rain, and discomfort galore
the old wizard was soon clicking the clacker on the castle’s door
A voice said come in, so the wizard took off his hat
a puddle of rainwater was at his feet in seconds flat
I can clean that up he told the beautiful woman staring at him
No need she told him, you are most welcome, Sage Jim
The wizard was astounded, who had told her his name?
He was invited into a parlor where there was a witch of some fame.
At last! She said, we have been surveilling your movements all night.
He settled down to listen, because everything seemed merry and bright.
Next in was the elf Jim had been trailing through the bushes and trees.
I knew I could lead him to you, he told them. He was smug, this elf, Jeeves.
That’s the only part of the story I know, the only part told to me by my beard.
After this night, the wizard was never seen, for he had disappeared.
The Ravens call to each other’s brotherhood,
while lofty redwoods reach upward.
Their branches stir and squeak
blowing and flowing with benign breezes.
Under their dusky shade, weary deer find their occasional peace
resting upon the vintage needles to sleep.
Landing in the lower Bay tree’s limbs,
rustling Wrens clacker their chorus
of ditties and riffs carried by ocean sent breezes
reminding the sparky squirrels to store their gathering stash soon.
Monarch butterflies flutter by still churning the fading fall flowers
finding sparse samples of sweetness
as the sun-striped honeybees slickened tongues suck their last nectar.
Other creatures - the tireless tree rats, dusty molting bunnies, dirty nosed moles, light-footed foxes, and mama mountain lion with cubs
express their mortal duties for the coming cold.
As I wander through this pantascopic menagerie
encompassed in its completeness, each path I take deepens to its source.
For I journey with my true self, inspired and consummated
in this imperfect perfection, bringing me home once again.
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