The Sound of the Creek

The trees were only just budding out, so even in the deeper woods the light was bright. On the far side of the creek was a roaded engine with long, shiny leaves. It must have been planted a hundred years ago to grow this big and around its roots or dozens of may apples. I recognized them by their shape. They were tiny, only five or six inches tall, but shaped like little umbrellas. As they grew over the summer, the umbrellas would open up and their leaves would stand out rather than droop down. Eventually, they would grow small, green, lemon-shaped fruits which were edible but didn't have much flavor.