The night I saw the mountain lion I saw her eyeshine first And then her head And then her frame Then something that was worse Her stance was over-rigid She was wound and set to spring Her eyes were locked upon me And I was everything My light shone bright upon her I knew to […]
J. Commander
Posted inArts + Scene
Bigfoot Bigotry
Not having the pleasure of prior acquaintance, I wasn’t sure whether their upturned noses were a constitutional characteristic or a register of their displeasure on finding me suddenly in their midst. The work of a moment dispelled my uncertainty. They looked to me, then at the earth, and then took to the trees, unwilling to […]
Posted inArts + Scene
“Only You Can Prevent Wildflowers”
Like fire flickering Western Tiger Swallowtails Flit from flame to flame J. Commander
Posted inArts + Scene
Sprung
Like a long-rusted statue The robin stands stock-still But with a spasm and a spurt He comes to life Plucks a worm From the earth And leaves it too J. Commander
Posted inArts + Scene
Downpour
A shower of starlings Splash into the feeder Overspilling upon the ground Invisible against the black soil Until they burst like a geyser Perceptible for but a moment Swimming the currents of night Evaporating among the clouds Reigning over us all
Posted inArts + Scene
Autumn’s Eve at Sandy Bar
Pantoum I see why the Karuk created here Earth’s air, water’s fire, soil’s wind, ash’s rain All their materials readily near While Klamath curates floods in her veins Earth’s soil, air’s wind, fire’s ashes, water’s rain Minerals form, fall, flow rock over rock While Klamath recalls floods forming her veins And geese honk on high […]