Morning light streams though
Blankets of tree canopies
Hike through emerald greens
Year or so later
Same hike, same trail, crickets chirp
This time, it’s softer
Mourning rivers weep
Fractured stones, collecting dust
Gemstone hues fade out
Distantly, cranes hum
Vacant trees on bygone cliffs
Now a shopping mall
Blankets of tree canopies
Hike through emerald greens
Year or so later
Same hike, same trail, crickets chirp
This time, it’s softer
Mourning rivers weep
Fractured stones, collecting dust
Gemstone hues fade out
Distantly, cranes hum
Vacant trees on bygone cliffs
Now a shopping mall