Was it a heron and also
something else?
– Jim Harrison (“Suite of Unreason”)
On long legs, one never knows
when curiosity
brings them closer
for inspection, if
the new pair—
replacing the ones
that disappeared,
that sprint low from barn to cactus,
or walk the rail, peering in
window
or mirror—
want something more,
strolling garden rows
like superintendents.
Roadrunners
everywhere at once!
Old white feed tank, a pair
of renegade racing pigeons
declare as theirs,
dozens like them, now
colors glinting in unison,
was once the heron’s roost,
our frozen totem facing north
up-canyon at the head
of the drive—
our stoic gray sentry
selected.
One never knows
who does the choosing,
what forces
draw us closer
to proclaim our space.
– for Laurie, Matthew and so many others
drycrikjournal 