Walking Pregnant

I

To dive into that puddle and 

drown upwards 

into the treetops reflected in it.

II

Abundance of acorns on a two mile trail:

slender red with brown hats

bearded brown old men

dark green, squatty ones with pale green stripes

and original recipe. 

III

A sprig of white flowers 

between my ear and headphone.

IV

Pockets gradually bulge:

First a fragrant, green-husked black walnut

Then a cluster of spiky white wildflowers.

A branch of red berries and lush green leaves.

Buckeye.  Two more walnuts.

Empty spaces in memory of the seed pods 

My tired thighs did not have the energy squat down and retrieve.  

V

I smile twice at the man in the orange shirt.

His teeth are joyful.

And nod approvingly at a 

very well trained

collie.  

VI 

So many fallen trees have left their marks on the pavement.

I want to walk barefoot over the ghost white hickory nuts

And the sharp shells that litter the path;

Relish them digging into the flesh of my feet.