Nags Head Woods Preserve

live oaks arcing, looping, circling

in a saltwater marsh

on a barrier island

Saturday morning at the brink of December

my daughter brings me fallen tree bark

covered in mint-green feathery lichen

that she says is beautiful and

her preschool teacher would love

I stash it in my sweatshirt pocket

along with gloves for the baby

who doesn't need them 

snug in the hiking backpack

bundled in fleece, keeping out the wind

but afforded the best view of us all

we concern ourselves with tree roots

along the path 

anxious to know where it leads 

we come to a clearing 

our private beach 

for a few unhurried moments