How To Live in Nature

Dig up the moonlight

over the grizzled green plant,

stink weed, grown out of dark loam.

Leap the boulder and run

like a hunted deer.

Stand under the thunder

and yowl a coyote howl

that ripples, like heat

over a dry lake bed

before the annual rain.

Stretch, scratch, fumble

like the slow-moving porcupine

as he rolls along night’s edge,

hunting.

Grunt like the javalina

rooting for food.

Shudder under the eagle,

you small bird, and the hawk.

Let the sun’s hot kiss

ignite the vision

of every place you’ve ever loved.

Be the earth, be the soil

you are made of, the water.

Remember, you come from the dust

of stars.

Photograph by Luna Zeffer

Letter Perfect

"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware."--Martin Buber

Guggenheim Foundation, New York City

Dear Ms Zeffer:

We at the Foundation realize that you have not applied for a grant from us, so this letter may surprise you. We are offering you a $75,000 grant to do with as you will. We have been following you on Facebook, where you have expressed a sense of urgency and a longing to finish something before you die. Since you are 72, we agreed that we should contact you rather than waiting for you to apply.

Facebook led us to your blog. There we read often of your two-year road trip and something of your spiritual path. We hope you will use our grant to repeat your road trip, doing it this time as you wish you had done that first journey. We'd like to see a book come from that.

We will also provide you with letters of introduction and credentials so that you may visit the great spiritual centers throughout this country, where the serenity and order will allow you to catch up with your writing as you go along.

Although it is unusual, we would, in addition, like to provide you with a new Dodge van (we believe you prefer blue) and a full setup of camping needs from sleeping bag to stove.

We wish you well in your journey. Please do acknowledge the Foundation in any book (or books) that result from your use of our grant.

PS The Obamas would like you to stay over at the White House for a week or so, at your convenience.

Photograph, "Convergence," of the open road and the obstacles alongside, by Luna Zeffer