I can tell by what’s in the air

I’d best pay attention today.

I feel as if I am prey and hunter;

nothing new there.

Who has not felt that dichotomy,

that ambiguous feeling 

of when you carry yourself as

prey and hunter in stride?

I stretch like a bear waking,

sniff the air, remember where

I am, cast a suspicious eye

and ear to the four directions.

Make a sacrifice to time remembering

dreams and stories, finding 

words like sign that take me where

I’ve never been.  I have seen 

and heard and felt and know things

I cannot speak of and yet

the urge to speak troubles me – 

the healing water, the whirlpool

beside it, a foot touching each.