I Saw Him.
Over the wide expanse of rise
I, in my heavy boots
strode out to crest the skyline
ready to try precarious
high beauty on top of the ridge.
I breathed in the thrill of gain
at that knife-edge and
viewing the drop toward pines
in their thousands,
shining bodies slightly hiding
my vision when there
I saw him cupping fine ears to
the ground as wind
began stroking shivering trees.
The stance I had seen assured
kingly awareness of
self and the powerful pride of
his demeanour felt
awesome as he lingered while
leaf-browsing then
eyed me before disappearing.
I with such smallness of mind
thought to find more
signs of why he was there yet
I, enlightened that
day after sighting confidence
in his liquid brown
eyes, which without the least
judgement took life
as he found it right on the top
of a mountain, hasted
away warily yet high as a kite
with such fortune then
realized wild-life had lessons
to teach in being
sure footed for knowing error
before mistaking steps
brings painful regret is wise.
That cougar experience is one
I shall never forget.