To a Young Moose

Before I met you,
trotting nonchalantly
along the barbed-wire fence,
I was already in love with your name—
Alces alces, words to speak in the mountains
if you become lost
& want to know the way.

Because I do not know the way,
because I want to follow you into the mountains,
I slowed
& drove at your pace,
close beside you,
admiring your sleek supple body,
slender neck,
the long thoughtful face,
finally stopping
as you did,
to stare into your eyes
& seeing what I thought
was a thought of me.