He asked if I’d seen the redwoods

All around me were pines and moss

We were tucked underneath our hoods

The ground was slick

I was there to get lost

My watch’s face mirrored mine

He told me, “They’ve been here since the city started keeping time”

The man disappeared

The cool air neared

My Golden retriever’s tail flickered like a light

Among the pines and cypresses

It was bright

My chest was heavy

My nose dripped

It wasn’t quite how I had imagined it

What was I there to see

The lake, the trails, the trees

The forest floor grew dark

The sky pink

From somewhere in the forest that man’s voice echoed, “Look for the bark”

I was feeling lightheaded

Trying to be careful of where I treaded

Trying to keep pace – for something

The seconds on my watch kept thumping

Sweet time running

Me trotting through the foliage like water through a bottle’s neck

I felt depleted

What about my in-box or my high school friends or the places I never went

The things I should’ve done

It was getting darker, my legs were weary

I thought my time was exceeded

But I kept on following that Golden tail

Through the woods

Like a ship’s sail

“Have you seen the redwoods?” the man’s voice echoed

How sad at this point, I’d said no

Who would find me

Would my dog make it back

At some point I collapsed

But when I woke I saw red

And bark and fur

All encased in a golden hue

The past was a blur

“Hey you, look around, you’re in the red woods,” the man said

“A lot of people miss it”

“Isn’t it good? I thought you could use the visit”

A forest of golden retrievers surrounded us

My beloved glowing Billy right there

A roaring fire, logs on the ground around us as seats

It was magical, beneath the glow of the stars, I couldn’t speak

I looked around – auburn tails, glowing coats, burgundy ears

Sweet souls, smiling snouts, soft paws

All so happy to see me

I felt the weight of the world lift

As I rested on the forest floor

Kissed by Golden retrievers

What a gift

I looked at my wrist but there was no watch

The man said, “I figured you could use some time off”

“Do you see the redwoods now?” he asked as he sat beside me

He handed me a cup of stew

“Yes,” I said excitedly

“You were in a hurry, but you don’t need to worry”

He smiled, pulled me in, and said, “Anything for you”