VII.
The creek bed along which Elke walked was (is)
interrupted serially by big brick walls. They are
in place to staunch the flow of water through the
deeply verdant valley, which at the time was
indecently fertile, a flowing river of green ferns
and fragrant mulch and burgeoning blackberries.

Elke followed a path that crossed the creek on
smooth slippery stones, the pads of her feet numb
from splashing in the sharply cold mountain water.
She was not lonely. She was present and secure in
her aloneness.

A heavy splash pulled her 'round, and lumbering
from behind a huge mound of watercress came a
brown bear, paws and feet dripping as it stood,
muzzle dark with berry juice.

Their mutual solitudes disrupted, they stare at
each other for time indeterminate, predators with
eyes locked, both unwilling to break away.

11/26/2013

Posted on 11/26/2013
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