October 20

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was drizzly with a temperature of 44 degrees and a slight breeze out of the west. Before getting started, I paused at the crest of the hill and gazed west at the ever-changing landscape. I descended the hill and was surprised to see and hear a few Redwing Blackbirds this time of year. Since our resident redwings have long since migrated, I suspect these are birds traveling from northern Michigan on their southerly migration. Continuing through Bobolink meadow, I could see that most of the Goldenrod flowers had gone to seed. I entered North Woods and followed the trail west where I saw the distinctive shredded bark of a Hop Hornbeam tree. Exiting the woods, I circled Succession Field where I noticed some Raspberry bushes with their colorful red leaves. I entered South Woods and hiked along the edge of Swanson Swamp where I spotted a few Prickly Ash trees. In order to get rid of toothaches, Native Americans chewed the bark of this tree. Many of them even crushed the bark and pasted it on their gums for relief. A poultice prepared with this bark blended with bear grease was used to treat external pains. An infusion obtained by boiling the bark was used to treat a wide range of ailments including gonorrhea, sore throat as well as rheumatism. Exiting the woods, I turned east and walked a short distance where I observed the still-green leaves of an Apple tree. Next, I turned north and hiked along the edge of Willow Wallow where I spotted nine noisy, male Mallards taking off toward the south, banking over Artist Overlook and heading west. Climbing up Reflection Hill, I looked down on Grebe Pond where I saw about three dozen geese resting from their fall migration. Also, I noticed the colorful, dense willow thicket to the south. I descended the hill, passed Frog Fen and Brady Cemetery before entering Native Grassland. Heading north, I could see the dark, bristly seed heads of dead Purple Coneflower. Also, I spotted a few migratory White-crowned Sparrows feeding on Goldenrod seeds. I followed the trail north around Grebe Pond and headed toward the barn where I spotted a few small Cottonwood trees. The Hopi, Pueblo and Navaho Indians made use of cottonwood branches in creating their prayer sticks. An individual’s prayer stick may even follow one to the grave. Cottonwood was also chosen as the sacred center pole in the well-known Sun Dance ceremony of the Plains Indians. At the barn, I turned and ventured to the dock of Grebe Pond where I recalled the excitement this week of school children catching and investigating pond critters. Next, I walked around to the east side of the barn to see a Red Mulberry tree. Choctaw Indian women spun thread from the fibrous bark of young trees and wove cloaks for themselves. Finally, we arrived at the van and took off for home.

I entered the woods and paused


In autumn trees the poets of October


The opaque fire of fallen leaf


Emeralds bled of blues to pale sulfur


Now dance with mizzle patter


And taunt the gaunt and tease the bare


Too helpless to resist

On cameos of burnished gold


And treetops yellowed by September


Cottonwoods like flowers fade


Deep furrows cut by scarlet plows


The mustangs of a setting sun


Before evening wears her velvet shawl


In quest of winter’s rest

My eyes harvest all the beauty


In the warmth of sun and nip of wind


And dewdrops on persimmons


A sodden moth with wings outspread


Stuck flat on orangey-red


Joins lifeless colors on the ground 


Reminders of the dead

Ed Keenan