freda underhill- I don't know Morgan's response to 'Bell Birds' but I like it. Vivid imagery, brings back a favorite memory of mine. One Autumn I went up into the Ochoco National Forest in central Oregon. Whole forest of Ponderosa Pine (a tall, reddish-brown tree with deeply carved and patterned bark); which kills underbrush and the branches are high off the ground so it is like walking in a park. The undisturbed duff is thick and cushiony underfoot.

Then every once in awhile, the Ponderosa pull back, forming a meadow, and there in the middle of the meadow is a grove of Aspens where shines "October, the maiden of bright yellow tresses". It is like the very sun is caught in their branches.

Not your birthday yet, Morgan. Just keeping the thread present.