Zhanna P. Rader, US (zh.r) and Vaughn Seward, CA (vs)

 

 

Renhaibun   Paths of Curiosity   It is a cool summer day. The creek nearby trickles and gurgles under overhanging branches. Light wind sways an oriole's nest on the other side. I decide to investigate further, pushing through brush, stepping on stones... Suddenly I am face to face with a bear. It immediately rises up on two legs and terror floods my being. My first instinct is to run but I remind myself of everything I have been told to do in these situations. See what kind of a bear it is, for the tactics are different for black bear and for grizzly. This one is a relatively small black bear. It looks more curious than aggressive. I know better than to look the beast in the eye. "Oh, that's you then. Well, hello there. You are a beauty." With these words it drops back on all fours. I intend to hold my ground but the branch under me snaps and I loose balance tumbling backwards into the creek... Just then a flock of loud-crying geese swooshes into the sky, diverting the bear's attention. I regain balance, duck under the over-hanging branches and squeeze through, back to the other side.   A high-flying jet leaves a trail, just under the day moon.   /vs Grass tips nearly touch—   /vs a garter slithers through.   /zh.r Coal dark night— with only three of my senses, I search for a way back.   /zh.r   Notes