Newcomer

 

An elephant now rests

in the meadow by the alder patch

 

its great trunk unrolled 

between shadowy tusks, 

long

 

like the winter that stretches 

before us

draped in frosted skin wrinkled

by wind

 

and thickly lashed 

skies.

 

As you pause, waiting 

perhaps 

for an answer

 

the new year’s light flashes 

over the ridge 

and takes the ear shape

of a trickster’s wing 

 

moving like a whisper 

it breathes

into your own:

 

yes, always —

 

your animal heart is

home.