The Ancestors Pulled the Tail of the Cougar

The Ancestors pulled the tail of the Cougar

hiding among the Creosote, the Ironwood, and the Brittlebush

that were

ripe with tiny yellow sunflowers

facing up like palms

lifted in silent prayer to the sky.

The Cougar, the same color of the setting sun

was hiding in the carved stone crevice of the dry arroyo

watching from behind the Creosote, the Ironwood, and the Brittlebush

and

hissed!

A hiss

that made my blood cold

a hiss

that interrupted my hike

and halted my steps.

A hiss

so loud

it permeated all earthy distractions

and I yanked my earbuds from my ears

knowing

that it was never really a good idea to wear those things on a trail

as wild

as the one that winds

around a lake

and through the bed of a river.

I turned to all four corners

and listened

to the wind,

but cats are cunning

and as I turned to walk away

the Ancestors pulled the tail of the Cougar

who hissed again

and once more too.

This time …

Dust kicked up from across the arroyo

and my heart nearly stopped.

I thought I heard the pounding of my own heartbeat, but it was the terrified

clip clop clip clop clip clop

of a Burro running full speed into the half set sun.

I too turned,

but was too proud

to run

to kick up dust

like a scared donkey.

Too proud

To show the cat

Fear.

So, I jogged

sure footed

laser focused

with intention

my palms faced up to the sky

like the brittlebush that surrounded me

praying that the yellow of the cat’s eyes had not blended

into the flowers around me

praying and

whispering with the trees

who said,

“Hurry!”

on the wind.

Finally,

I saw the blinding glare of my car’s windshield

like a guiding star

at the trailhead

and that’s when

I ran

for my life!

Like a scared donkey

sliding into the car

like sliding into home base

at the last game of the World Series.

Sitting there in the purple evening

in complete relief

I had the feeling

that

I had been saved

because

the Ancestors pulled the tail of the Cougar.

END