A woods walker explores

by Henry Burt Stevens
8/7/2004

A woods walker
i become excited
when i come to a
No Tresspassing sign.

The nerve of those people-
how are they going to stop me?
i cross back and forth
their property line at will.

One day on Punta Gorda
county land a gate
with sign, "No One
Enter Beyond This Point."

i entered quickly and
wandering came to a
hidden brackish pond
on which 100+ white pelicans swam.

Dozen others circled
and wheeled in the blue
air above. Transformed,
i filled my eyes and mind.

If there is an election
to return as something
i believe i'll be a white pelican.
Even though the joys of
tresspass will be absent.