On the Way Back: A Poem

Honored to have a poem included in this anthology celebrating the human-animal relationship, written by members of the International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ). This poem remembers a special encounter with a rattlesnake while I was on a desert walk in Southern New Mexico.

On the Way Back

Trekking the winding spine

of a desert ridge, narrow track,

spiny tufts of sotol, nopal, mesquite

blurred as I became lost

in conversation.

Let’s not surprise each other, I thought,

though I would like to see you

from a respectful distance.

Shy thoughts, lightly held,

addressed with admiration, a touch of fear,

and no expectation.

Imagine my fluttering heart, stopping feet, disbelief,

as I saw what I missed on the first pass.

Gravid body emerging from the earth,

keratin tail, zebra-striped rings,

diamonds stretched and bulging.

Basking, still, chiselled head,

viper eyes overlooking

fertile curves. Thank you,

I said. It was all I could muster.

And I kept my dog close

on the way back.