you would think as you walk
along the forest ridge
this time of year
there could be nothing more wondrous

than the not yet faded royal
of the sky behind
grey-brown branches, the last
leaves gripping on

but then the trail edges west
and beneath the sky
a darker blue surfaces
and below that turquoise

further on the low sough
of waves reaches you
and there you are again
lost in sight and sound