Mica Hills

 

In recollection, his features vague,
his demeanor intense, the art teacher
described how the eye
is disenchanted by the solid line,
the precisely defined image,
prefers the active engagement of
losing and finding
losing and finding both
in landscape and in figure.

I thought to share this
several times on the hike
but as with sighting
the blue blazed trail
kept losing and finding,
losing and finding
the opportunity among
threads of conversation.

Then hearing the brook,
hectic runnels
and syncopated drops
losing and finding
individual sounds
inside linear white noise.

Approaching the summit
losing and finding
form and space defining
scrub oak and sky.

And at the lookout
losing and finding
glinting mica flecks
through lichen scabbed rock,
losing and finding
a cloud shadow deepen
a jig saw piece of field.

Descending through oak groves
wind shape shifting limbs
losing and finding
losing and finding us
both in landscape and figure
caught in amber
autumn light.