Arts
In the Woods A journey through the sights, smells and tastes of the woods. By Mary Usufzy Illustration by Enacio Refugio
In the woods, time stands still. Time, a fickle creature that eludes all senses and robs us of life’s cherished moments, possesses no power here. Watches and clocks are nowhere in sight, their incessant and tedious ticking never to be heard. In the woods, the sights are a gift to behold. The emerald grass cradles my body as I inhale the damp aroma that it fills the surroundings with. A beetle, its shell as brown as the richest coffee, traverses to the peak of a single towering blade of grass. Losing its balance for a moment, it readjusts itself and remains victorious at last, delighting in its fruitful success. Like the beetle, I readjust myself into a standing position and observe my surroundings, slowly trudging through the flood of autumn leaves. In the woods, sounds strike a chord of surprise and shock with every resonating beat. A woodpecker with red feathers like the setting sun taps out a crescendo in its pursuit for juicy insects. Chipmunks scamper about, their soft chittering serving as a soundtrack as they look hither and thither for sustenance. Gusting through the trees, a light breeze scatters the leaves and jumps into the chorus. A songbird bursts into a tune, its melody overshadowing the breeze’s peaceful tune. In the woods, smells range from heavenly scents to repulsive stenches. Flowers late in bloom exude their sweet nectar, emitting an aroma that fills the nostrils with glorious delight. Various species of herbs and spices, whose names I do not know, offer up their perfumes for taste. But a squirrel, whose stomach must have been full to the brim, has laid a small mound of festering brown mess. I hold my breath every time I pass by it, because even a sliver of the stench makes me nauseous. In the woods, nothing comes off as artificial or fake. Everything is open and honest with one another. A bumblebee with stripes of gold and black settles on a
In the woods, the sights are a gift to behold.
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