 Recognition by Ute Carson Wild Things Domestic and Otherwise Edited by Whitney Scott, Outrider Press, Inc., 2008 No mountain was too high, Each cliff a welcome challenge, And ravines tickled my funny-bone. Until one snowy winter day, climbing up a steep path And rounding a corner with a huff I spotted the lynx, Tufted ears, chunky haunches, ready to pounce. My courage slithered into my boots, And I stood still as a statue. Her eyes held mine, Gleaming amber-honeyed, confident of her power, Pulling intuition right down from the sky, Mine squinting with panic. Slowly, I breathed movement back into my limbs, Drawing up energy from the earth. As my fear dissipated, The fragrance between us changed, I matched her strength with my knowledge. As I respected her space, she acknowledged mine, Allowing me to retreat calmly, While watching a magnificent beast Lick her paws, huge furry snowshoes.
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