Snap!

Snap
Walking in a mature forest,
Trees full of life that have
Survived through storm, fire
And everything else that life could
Throw at them—
You hear a loud
<SNAP>
There is no way to tell
Where it came from,
And no sign
That it happened
When the sound has died away.
And yet, this very forest has sheltered you
From all storms before,
Or at least given you
Company through them.
These trees, majestic and strong,
Literally full of life—flowers,
Birds, squirrels, foxes, butterflies,
Coming through or staying,
They have always seemed ageless.
There was no reason to think that someday
You may have to be alone in a storm.
And yet,
<SNAP>
What does that mean?
Maybe walking these woods
Will never feel as free again.

—Tom Harris