Tony Burfield
Lyons, Colorado, USA

Riptime

Lateral moraine. The elk bugle and chase tail. This is riptime, between time, the rut. I scent each creature's musk. And behind us a line of clanking and morphing bones from jawtooth to brow bulge. Listen again to the wind, rain on edge and glow-sky afternoon. We spot bighorn spoor and follow hoof tracks to the riparian, fenced as it is.

wind across rocks—
my hand tiny against
the paw print