on a foggy summer’s morn
wisps of rolling white fingers
drifted slowly across a silenced oregon coastline
blanketing the new hours past dawn
like errant cotton candy
dipped and spun from a cache of last evening’s starshow
it sprawled lazily
across the pine-lined vacant coastal highway
while a cacophony of bleating foghorns in the distance
sang in from a close, invisible sea…
he appeared quietly without fanfare or frenetic crashing to the forest’s edge
instead slowly ambling to the crest of the embankment
where he rose up in all his majestic elk glory
towering in multiple measure above our four-wheeled tin and steel cage
which he brought to a tentative, pulled over halt by his sighting-gift for the early travelers…
like a giant, sprawling crown an immense headdress of boney antler graced his head
while mossy, almost comical bark remnants covered his snout
the result of an early day’s ritual a daybreak elk toilette scratching session, no doubt..
his harem of elk cows didn’t seem to mind choosing instead to remain distracted behind their leader god
while awaiting his thoughtful command they grazed lazily at bush and flower at the forest’s edge…
and as his head slowly turned from side to side it appeared that he was checking
both ways to be certain
that his family could make it across the highway to safety
a careful crossing guard measuring the sureness of what his vision-story might tell in this unpredictable land of we uncertain humans…
in a moment of checking our side of the highway, his eyes fell upon us enormous glass elk eyes
seemed to stare into mine, gauging the familiar human sizing us up for charging or ignoring
checking too for the ever-present possibility
and flash of the familiar hunter’s weapon..
eyes still locked, we silently shared a wordless moment you are safe here no harm will come to you, i spoke
we carry only gratitude for the surprise of your presence we thank you for this, a parting gift, as we leave your forests and we will wait here for your decision…
in that brief exchange, he appeared to nod in understanding then glancing again from side to side, he gave his silent elk-command
proceeding slowly and tentatively across the highway, his elk tribe following his slow lead…
again, this is why we journey to places both
known and unknown
these rare moments of elk wisdom are what keep us
contemplating our choices
as we measure the fine lines
between living for memories
or the ease of a peaceful, quiet death…