In recognition of Poetry Month, and to celebrate our treasure trove of Orcas Island poets, Orcas Issues is pleased and honored to offer daily poetry during April.

IN THE NORTHERN FOREST
by David Kobrin

In the Northern Forest
freshness permeates the moss-strewn floor,
ground birds scatter
at my footstep
as if the sound
is their death knell.
Rodents, rabbits
ants, bees,
and bats
at twilight.

The woodpecker
drums the tree
scattering insects
with its iron beak,
and the eagle
in calm disdain
above the earth.
I am silenced.

In the forest silence
buzzards glide
on warm-air drafts
broad winged, peaceful
searching silently
for the decomposed.