August 9, 2011

a moose in the woods

He appeared on the return trip from the falls. We’d spent two
or three hours on the hike, and while the view from the summit
could have been enough, I yearned for wildlife, and I knew
it was here, somewhere, rooting and rustling. So I said it
out loud – “I want to see a moose” – and not 20 minutes later
one appeared where it would never have been spotted -
directly on the trail itself. It is hard to describe the wonder
of that animal up close, those kingly antlers, the fur, bark-brown and matted.
But even more, the awe of a desire made manifest so clear and quick.
And so the lesson goes: Ask for what you want, and be specific.