SNOW COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN

 
the bear carries her bulk
on human hands

her snout long, coat sleek
eyes attentive within and without

we both ate huckleberries
she didn’t flinch when I fell into the creek

could I have a life as a blue whale
could my soul grow an elephant-sized tongue

ocean yawns
cities before the city surface

she walks in the sun
steam rises as frost melts

could I slide my fingers
under her guard hairs, touch soft wool

in the back of my mind
a halo of her fur

beneath the city, lost creek beds
the snow’s butterflies dance