Why, why do we feel (we all feel) this sweet sensation of joy? – Elizabeth Bishop
The DEC has euthanized the bull moose that unusual divagations, wandered the trail up the mountain named for martyr Andrew it lingered since June exhibiting unfamiliar behavior in 1980 moose began to return to the Adirondacks backtracking the paths of banishment at first the sightings were not believed like bigfoot or the see through angel at the foot of grandma’s bed but soon photographs appeared and were greeted with euphoric grins (this was before AI) compared to previous apparitions some proof was required and we apostles of the last American megafauna commenced early morning quests to the fog secret marshes wishing just a glimpse please as with wild turkeys and bald eagles moose numbers have increased and soon Pontiac drivers will grit their teeth going around blind corners like they do in Nova Scotia I have seen them in Maine and Alaska Vermont too and on tv but to see one here in my earth-bound place ambling around John Brown’s farm would travel me to the unlogged forest of my original soul to see palmate antlers rising in the bogs over waves of fern, like a hovering savior above the date palms a cristate hologram of primeval prayer in the absence of heavy trod hoof moss has been softly coating rock, gray/green lichen the grave white pine nourishing the mycelium or maybe the other way around making a welcome bed for rebirth and grace preparing a future for more species may cure the past? no do not negate the harm always keep in memory sacrifice for this freedom of movement north to south and search for justice find this holy land inhaled deep in my lungs
Michele Worthington
Michele Worthington lives in Tucson, AZ where the Sonoran Desert, urban sprawl and our unacknowledged apocalypse inspire her writing. Her photography and poetry have appeared in several online journals. She has been in print at Sandcutters, Sandscript, Sabino Poets, Anomaly Poetry, and Nature of our Times anthology. She was an Arizona Matsuri contest winner and a finalist for the 2023 Tucson Festival of Books literary awards.