Grouse Message
we hiked today
up Sugar Mountain
along the ridge trail
climbing
talking
in the spring mist
as rain threatened any moment
and stopped for lunch
at the lookout
as you do
above Sasamat Lake
Bedwell Bay and Indian Arm
and as we sat on the mossy forest floor
we heard a rustle
in the underbrush
sat still
watched
and along came a grouse
pecking at the huckleberry leaves
he looked at us
we looked at him
expecting him to take flight
but no, he came closer
tipped his head
wondering what we were
I suppose
and then closer again
and within two feet of us
he circled
pecking and poking
at the underbrush
at the underbrush
peeking at us
listening it seemed
as we talked
and then came
around the front
and stood
and looked at us
quite curiously
as if he had something to say
a message perhaps
or was listening for one
