Mockingbird – Reincarnation
An old black vulture landed in a tree
overlooking Chickamauga Creek;
gave me a sidelong glance.
I thought of Edward Abbey
outspoken critic of government agencies,
professor and park ranger.
Abbey, buried in an illegal grave
a cairn of stones to cover
his mortal remains.
His friends saw to his last request
wrote on one stone
“Edward Abbey, no comment.”
The nemesis of Glen Canyon Dam
didn’t want a memorial and
got one anyway.
He always said he’d come back
as a vulture next time
just seemed fitting.
I looked up into the oak
said “Hey there Ed,
looks like a good day for flying.”
Abbey didn’t say a word
just gave me that sidelong glance,
the old buzzard.
Mockingbird
January-February 2008 Earth First!