In a Eucalyptus Grove

My hand in his, we make our way

through slender trunks so smooth and slick,

beneath a grey-green canopy

the crunch and spice of seed pods underfoot;

He shows me where the bark has left

oval patchworks, beige and cream

We pick up leaves to crush and shred

(He frowns and proffers Latin names

I listen to with half an ear)

The sweet sap fills

our noses, and it scents the air;

The rain falls lightly, coating leaves

is caught by fragrant canopy

and hardly falls on us.