Nestled

Nestled in an Aspen grove in October, sitting on the ground among fallen leaves, leaning back, comfortably against a fallen log. Wind has the leaves still in the trees, dancing, sunlight has them shining. Gold color in the leaves and white in the bark against blue color in the sky holds me here. Leaves on the ground surround me, enclose me, comfort me. I don’t want to leave.  I don’t care to be anywhere but here. In this wilderness, in this wild I belong. I know who I am. Time shifts into neutral gear. The mental wheels stop spinning.  Thinking stops. I stop. Connected to the earth, breathing with it, I connect to the leaves, to the colors, to life.  Only I know where I am. And the elk I saw. I sit among their beds. My body relaxes, rests. Reclined in nature, I am safe. Nestled.