Forest Night Spirits

One evening I attended a forest funeral. I held logs in place while men nailed freshly-cut timber together for a coffin. Inside, families talked and shared quiet stories. During a break outside, kids from the forest community kept the fire going. A light rain started but our own voices and stories continued. They took turns tending the fire. We played games and although it was well past midnight, we kept the fire going while some kids danced like forest spirits in the night.