The sun downing
One, two raccoons
Up different trees
One a kit
I see it turn on the bark and crawl down forward.
Now I know how that’s done.
A pair of does
feed along the spring path
They pay me no nevermind
Canada geese, a mated pair
The goose leading in the water
Her head sawing back and forth on her great neck
Towing five goslings through the main channel of glass
Her gander a rearguard against foxes
Stopping, turning, at watch.
A bevy of deer spring and vault over and under willow thickets
Athletic perfection
White tails torches for those behind
The last, an immature buck, skids to a stop when he sees me.
And we were made, as pretend selves, so that It could love something not Itself
The All and the Everywhere
extending Itself into fictional, alien darkness
And finally, two coyotes
The bitch crosses the road
The dogit
He stays behind
Bulging eyes wary of traffic.
Though he craves to follow
He must wait.
Soon, though
He shall join her.
© 2022 by Michael C. Just
Mike’s novel, The Dirt: The Journey of a Mystic Cowboy, is available in softcover or eBook formats through Amazon.
You can purchase the book through this website. Or go straight to amazon at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+dirt+journey+of+a+mystic+cowboy&crid=1S40Q4BXSUWJ6&sprefix=the+dirt%3A+journey+of+a+m%2Caps%2C180&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_23
Mike’s other titles, including The Crippy, The Mind Altar, and Canyon Calls, are available through this website or through Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002
Four of his short stories have recently been published online:
Lies, Ltd. has been published by The Mystery Tribune @ Lies, Ltd.: Literary Short Fiction by Michael C. Just (mysterytribune.com)
The Obligate Carnivore has been published by the Scarlet Leaf Review @ Category: MICHAEL JUST – SCARLET LEAF REVIEW
I See You, Too has been published by the 96th of October @ I See You, Too – 96th of October
Offload, a short story about a man who can heal any disease, is now live and can be read at The Worlds Within at Offload – The Worlds Within