Graceful, Gorgeous, Focused, Wild
- San Diego Mountains
Once upon a winding road, I met
somebody new–a friend, a foe, a guide?
Driving the forest curves, the slow
twists of everyday afternoon light,
in and out of scented evergreen shade.
In those days I drove a Carmen Ghia,
low to the ground, sandy beige
with a root beer top that sparkled with sun.
That afternoon, driving home, windows open,
I sensed a presence next to me–
a mountain lion running gracefully
beside my shoulder, tawny beige fur,
black ear tips, wild, focused, fluid.
Immediately, my heart made itself known,
even the mountain lion could hear it.
I did two things simultaneously—
slowly rolled up the hand crank window,
and gently took my foot off the gas pedal.
For a few breath-holding moments,
we coasted in tandem.
- The South Bay of Los Angeles
Decades later, soon after my parents
died, I dreamt of the mountain lion.
The scene, the patio of their home,
the yucca in pale flower,
June gloom, a typical morning sky.
I was sitting in their white patio chair,
gazing toward the eucalyptus.
This time, I saw his yellow-green eyes
and he held mine as he approached,
graceful, gorgeous, focused, wild.
My mountain lion placed his heavy, square head
on my shoulder. Cheek to cheek,
warm fur, warm breath, against my face.
And we stayed that way,
breathing in tandem.
The Great Black Witch Moth
Opened like a Chinese lacquered fan
Darkened through dynasties and for night
Intricate design of ruffles and lace
Carries a message from spirit beyond
Darkened through dynasties and for night
Why leave the eaves of the morning lanai?
Carries a message from spirit beyond
Crossing by drift from the afterlife
Why leave the eaves of the morning lanai?
The spiders of April waiting below
Crossing by drift from the afterlife
A flick of the wrist the wing the web
The spiders of April waiting below
Opened like an antique Chinese fan
A flick of the wrist the wing the web
Darkened through dynasties and for night
Nancee Cline is a poet, teacher, and author of a poetry collection entitled Saying Goodbye to the House on Longfellow. She has tutored and taught most of her life, both in California and Hawaii. Nancee currently lives with her husband in Kona on the Big Island. When not reading or writing, she dances hula, bakes bread, and gardens.
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