I left for my daily walk with that song by Yusuf or as he was known then, Cat Stevens, running rampant in my brain…Remember the album Teaser and the FireCat? Still wondering about that Fire Cat…

 

The weather was delicious and my walk was luxuriously lazy. The moon had decided to come and play before the sun had completely set. The path was shadowy and had a nice homey, cozy vibe. Forest denizens were stirring – those that were returning to their lairs and those that were starting their evening watch. As the sun finally disappeared and the landscape shrugged into its nighttime decor, I thought I saw something dart out from behind the stump ahead. I didn’t hear the usual rustle from the pile of old dried leaves. Interesting… Was it a hungry creature looking for dinner? Or was it one that was returning late from a last-minute feast?

 

In any case, it did not stop to say hello so, I continued along. As did my brain. It decided that I needed to know that a “fire cat” was the Asian nickname for an orange cat. And there it goes – today’s earworm…. “I’m being followed by a moonshadow, a moonshadow….” Looking around, I tried to see my moonshadow. Hard to discern, in the shadowy woods and very uneven terrain. But did I just see a nebulous shadow dart across the path, behind me?

 

Whatever it is, it seems to be creeping up on me. Mary, stop! Take a deep breath and feel the air. Is there a threat hanging around? One Mississippi – Two Mississippi – Three Mississippi. Look around. See, there is nothing. Shrug it off.

 

Imagination monkey is playing tricks again. Let’s just move along. “I am enjoying a leisurely walk in my woods.” Again… “I am enjoying a leisurely walk in my woods.” Breathe in the cool, earthy spring air. As I round that knoll with the giant oak at its summit, the evening breeze is picking up. Standing at the foot of my beloved forest guardian, I can see the late gibbous moon and the milky way.

 

Yes, it is a glorious night. But Luna is wending her way back and so must I. Returning to the path, there is a rustle almost beside me. This time, I do not turn towards the noise, but like an owl, I let my eyes lead my head. And there, almost out of sight is that black shadow. Small, with an air “I’ve been expecting you”. I inched closer but in what I can only describe as a puff of smoke, it disappeared.

 

Shrugging, I continued home and closing the door to my kitchen, I shook my head. Another mysterious encounter. But this one left me wistful. Will I meet up with my Moonshadow?