Looking

 

Looking at the forest,

shadows from the lodgepole and ponderosa pine

create a maze,

the choice being

follow the path or choose a different way.

My eyes follow the ridgeline, up to the snow-capped mountain.

Appreciating the splendor of its conical form

with its small opening at the top, set at an angle,

is to remember, in fact, it is a volcano.

No destruction today.

The vacant meadow I see is because the deer aren’t back yet

from their lower elevation winter stay.

A river otter hoists itself onto the bank,

raises its head cautiously, looks in my direction,

decides to plunge back into the river.

Untold sets of eyes keep watch,

some hidden, some observed.

Circling overhead, a large bird searching for prey

could be a red-tailed hawk, golden eagle, osprey or turkey vulture.

Everything is looking at everything.