For months Paul was silent
on his withdrawal up the mountain.
That was after society
instituted too many rules.
He was ready for rules
protecting the land and water from harm.
He was disgusted by rules
protecting business from accountability.
He suffered a contaminated nightmare
that refused Superfund clean up dollars.
He went up the mountain
so he’d not declare war on the world of men.
This fractious estrangement
began his talking to birds.
I catch glimpses of him when I hike the tree line,
but he always vanishes into the aspens and pines.
copyright © 2020 Kenneth P. Gurney
Umflop 