Forest bathing at Old Sulehay

After the storm the morning sky was limpid blue
Swathes of mist lay over hills and valley
softening edges and soothing the parched fields
 
I entered the dark wood
Ride-side grasses were jewelled and drooping
weighed down by last night’s deluge
 
Water dripped steadily from every tree
the moist air was scented with fruit
overlain with the mustiness of fungi
 
As the sun grew warmer the trees steamed gently
Droplets of mist captured the sun’s rays
filling the forest with light
 
I stopped and listened to bass notes of wood pigeon
overlain by the high squeals of red kite
and the staccato rhythm of woodpecker and nuthatch
 
The drought seemed but a distant memory
Marked by prematurely bronzed bracken
And the curled remains of dog’s-mercury
 
For one moment all felt right with the world
Mind, body and land refreshed
I breakfasted on sweet rain-washed blackberries