Sleepy Fox Hollow extrusive ii

pawing ice at the edge of a waterway, selenia listened to the crash of the falls above.

silverbirch dozed in the remnants of a poppyfield, now weathered by frost and winter's breath. fancy would not be far, the buckskin decided, soaking dirt from her ankles in the frigid pool for a moment as she simply tried to relax.

he follows the horse, because the horse shits a lot.
bringing winged bugs and swift-flying swampdarners -
an entire ecosystem springing to life from a single ball of shit

he stalks the reeds behind her and picks off a few victims.
a mouse impaled by his beak, down the gullet.
once or twice a snake - his favorite meal besides seafare;
and presently, as she sinks her fat ankles into mud,
blue mist stabs a rutting bullfrog
tilts back his lethal face
and swallows that fat fuck whole.

once more the bird.

he was comforting this time, a wild presence that posed no threat to selenia or her unborn. through the lawmaking of ruminants she should not try to even attempt communication.

but she was lonely.

"do you know my words, feathered thing?" selenia whickered, dark eyes curious.