"Second Falls"

an afternoon clear
separates early
from a shiftless sky
trampling feet numbered
beat swiftly
down a cabin-lined road
dust-covered sneakers
stride unconcerned
across wooden planks bridged
outpaced steps
cross hurriedly
into a white-spotted meadow
a tracking footpath
winds thin
through partially-timbered woods
a narrow stream
motions deliberate
over closely-spaced rocks
wavering arms slight
balance anxiously
above an exposed pipeline
splashing echoes near
resound fleetingly
in the warming Sierra air