By Rebecca J. Martin
For The Cordova Times
I dream I follow in your footsteps,
fit into your tracks, transform to be you for a day.
Below borealis streamers, snowshoe hare’s
breath steaming, flat feet fly
through misty flakes, outsmarting red fox
this time, leaving behind an impression on crystal like
Christmas ornaments to hang on evergreen.
Still, fox leans forward, lifts and sniffs the stiff wind
to select aromas of new prey.
Then dashes off. His trace remains as
symmetric claw prints above sparkling diamond shapes
pressed upon the blizzard’s aftermath.
Tremble at a triple talons touchdown
where great horned owl’s wings swept away
snow in swift chase revealed by a shallow indentation trench.
While little raccoon paw prints like a child’s hands
moved by mindfully direct to the river flow.
Author statement
Friendship ties brought me and kept me returning to the often-rainy harbor of Cordova. Genuine awe of daily life prevails each visit. Whether the matter-of-fact ruggedness and joy of the people who call this home, the spectacle of seemingly endless snow-capped mountains, delta magic moments, loving lakes that resonate beaver’s tails messaging, music of melting waterfalls, fairy tale rain forest trails or the mournful groaning glaciers – to witness an assortment of life emerged within this natural setting of tidal change that guards fishing and science as central to the community has been a unique eye-opening experience. I am an art educator by profession, living in Texas.
Reach Rebecca J. Martin at rmartin@tcu.edu
About the artist
Runa loves to draw, paint, cut and tape stuff together — every day. She is 5 years old and lives with her mom, dad and sister, Cora in Cordova.
What’s The Catch?
This poem and mixed media art were originally published in the “Tracks” themed Winter 2022 edition of The Catch, Cordova’s literary & arts quarterly publication. The Catch is available at the library and the museum or at the Cordova Public Library Facebook page and at cordova-library.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Catch_Winter.pdf. The Catch is edited by city librarian Jillian Gold. To receive a free digital copy of The Catch or for more information, email jllian.cordovapubliclibrary@gmail.com.
Submit to the spring edition
The Catch is accepting submissions for the Spring edition until this coming Tuesday, March 15. The theme is “Fresh”.
Submit to jillian.cordovapubliclibrary@gmail.com, or mail Cordova Public Library, ATTN The Catch, PO Box 1170, Cordova, AK 99574, or stop by the library’s circulation desk.
All ages. All mediums. No entry limit.
