Iron Bridge and Owl

Night and black ice
the long dark highway through Meeteetse
crosses this ice-rimed iron bridge

Wood River plashing
wide
winter shallow
scalloped with moonlight
edged with ice

Man on the bridge

Riverside cottonwoods
slaked and sleeping
birds’ feet faintly felt
in those trees
each night for nights
a Great horned owl

Dim light
lambent owl

Billowed body
amber eyes
soft foot shift
warm cooing hoots

Street light
black night
shivering stars

Man on iron bridge
cold river
cold fingers
long dark winter highway through Meeteetse