late october

 

—watch for snakes!
the ranger shouted
twice, in bold subtext
the reminder

wouldn't want to tango with a sidewinder

he must have read the rumor
she tends to melancholic humor
to lichen covered rock and spider webs, outside the beaten path

saddled the jeep to head off the aftermath
before it happens
bending time and space...............................

still a question lingers on her face

the ranger's getting smaller
dust clears, at last she hears, in the echo of his holler
—watch for snakes!

wakhavumi

 

turning on the trail this morning, following imprints of days past. it’s late october.
prickly pear and coast live oak provide sharp relief. two familiars in a now conserved area, 
named by the Luiseno people: “wakhavumi”, the frog pond.

yellow flowers are blooming. enthusiasts have returned, more or less on any given day.
knowing the path is no less a mystery.  you might see coyote.
“watch for snakes!” the ranger shouts as he motors past.

mind wants to see problems this way and that
the birds want to sing and the song somehow gets through.
stop, breathe. we’re here too.

10/31/21
500 words back to writing challenge becomes 100 for now