Freedom on the Trail

Egret Spirit

Photo by B K on Unsplash

           Egret Spirit 

Go fast, take a chance 
Go fast, take a chance
Metronome mantra to
quicken my cadence—
Run rhythm along the fallen leaves
crunching to the beat with each stride.
My eyes glance up at a leafless tree  
a gray figure on the lowest branch
breaks my stride.
My mantra interrupted— what is that? 
A single black leg standing firm 
Long slim beak pointing at me.
I stop, and admire the stoic bird
One eye looks into mine 
Sweat drips down my forehead
We don’t move— our gaze 
welcomes solitude, stillness  
True freedom on the trail. 

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