A Backpacker's Noise Solution
– July 4th, Sportsman Lake, Yellowstone National Park
Sans aftershocks
or the random shotgun
aimed aimlessly skyward
curious otters glide to see
who sits on the boulder
of longevity
I greet the mosquitos
buzzing my face
and watch elk jump
up and down to splash
bathe themselves
loons concealed by the reeds
waiting for darkness
to begin their nightlong
wawawa serenades
Michael G. Smith, Bozeman, MT, is a chemist. His poetry has been published in many literary journals. His books include a poetry collection No Small Things; Flip Flop, a collection of haiku co-created with Miriam Sagan; and The Dippers Do Their Part, a co-creation of haibun and katagami with artist Laura Young. A bird watcher, he volunteers at a local wetland wildlife sanctuary and elsewhere.
See more of his work in 11.1 and 11.1 and 11.1 and 10.2 and 9.2 and 9.2 and 9.2