The Spotted Salamander

In the heart of the dense forest, 
a gentle creek trickles, creating 
a soothing melody. Sunlight filters 
through the thick foliage, casting 
shimmering shadows 
that dance on the ground.

Under the lush canopy, 
where the air carries the earthy 
scent of decaying leaves, moss, 
and damp soil, the spotted salamander 
lives in a tranquil trance 
beneath a blanket of leaf litter.

Adorned with vibrant yellow spots, 
like flickering stars in the night sky, 
the salamander's skin is a tapestry 
of nature's design.

It’s as if the spots are sentinels
of the woodland's spring birth 
and blossoming of new life. 
And when the forest thrives,
so do we, as our lives blend
harmoniously below
the azure skies.

—Steven Wade Veatch