Breathing in the woody scents of the forest,
The aroma of pine needles wafting through the air,
Different scents of nature all around,
Breathing in the fresh air and smells of the forest,
I am here right now.
I feel calm.

I can see the tall trees with the leaves in shades of green.
Brightly coloured birds are flitting down from the treetops.
The treetops coming together like a canopy shading the ground from the hot sun,
Vivid flowers scattered over the trees and the bushes like a veil covering them all,
I am here right now.
I feel calm.

Cupping my hands I bend over and take some water from a nearby stream.
The cooling water trickles into my mouth and down my throat.
It energises me and refreshes my body from the inside out.
I am here right now.
I feel calm.

Passing a tall tree I lean over and brush my fingers against the bark.
It feels rough on my skin.
As my hand glides over the trunk I can feel the bumps and knobbles on the tree.
Every now and then my fingers run over soft moss.
I am here right now.
I feel calm.

A chorus of birds chirping high in the trees,
A frog croaking far in the distance,
The leaves crunching below my feet,
I can hear a rushing of water from the stream I drank from.
The soft footfall of a small animal is nearby.
I am here right now.
I feel calm.

Sasanka Wickramagedara
Trinity Catholic College, Dunedin
Year 8.

Image credit – TJFREE