Cazadero Newts

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By Melisse
Walking, slithering, silky, tender, “s” shaped curves
Exploring a rocky pool
Of cool, clear creek water.
Immersed in their reverie
Sliding over, sliding under
Across one another.
First two, then three, four, five.
Perhaps six
Orange bellied newts
With hands and feet a-glow
Hallowing a warm, chocolate, translucent body.
Soft skin, sweet face, sensual beings.
Their own “corner” of the big wide world
This towering redwood forest
Is clean, is healthy.
These newts’ very presence tell me so.
I sit quietly and watch.
My reverie joined to theirs.
Treasuring this honor
This voyeuristic privilege
To glimpse their world
To spy their behavior
Their interactions and relationships.
One newt climbs to the edge of the shallow pool
Closest to where I sit.
She lifts her head
Bulging eyes emerging above the water’s surface
And looks right at me.
We gaze intently at each other.
Moments pass.
A bubble swells from her mouth
And pops.
What does she see of me?
What or who does she perceive me to be?
A life form?
A mass of color, light and dark…
That wasn’t here before now?
Relaxed, without alarm
Unthreatened, calm, serene
Lacking predators
She ducks under the water and walks away.
Back to join the other
Orange toed newts.
Slithering, sliding “s’s”.

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