bison stop

alaska highway
snakes
northwest
--------------a gray ribbon through majestic mountains
and we drive mile after mile
--------------- gazing the un prairie power

stop for a herd of bison

crossing                the             pavement

massive brown bodies on

thin nimble legs
horns curving
crowning neckless heads
dwarfed by huge shoulders

tan tawny young ones

trailing mothers
on uncertain hoofs

and we watch and take pictures

                     like the one on my lap now
until we can drive on

a brief buffalo pause

in the mountain journey
of life