When we write, we write about things that we experienced and imagine. I have had the good fortune to come close to several large animals and took pictures.
This is a poem about an elk I saw in Yellowstone several years ago. I was able to get to about 30 feet (10 metres) of him, protected by the trees a bit. He impressed me with his calmness. He seemed totally unaware of me, but I am aware they are wild animals and I am the one out of my element.
Frank O’Hara wrote about common things in his poetry i.e. aspirin, lunch hours, and harmonicas. Sometimes, those things seem more exotic like this elk.
I picture him in my mind’s eye,
I recall the story.
Walking up the road
Down into a high-banked ditch.
Quietly, always trees between us,
I ease my way to this moment.
He appears unconcerned,
He does not lift his crown.
Cautiously, I approach,
After all, he is king here.
Head down,
He attends to his concerns.
I approach as close as I can,
One shot to recall I was there.
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About ivonprefontaine
In keeping with bell hooks and Noam Chomsky, I consider myself a public and dissident intellectual. Part of my work is to move beyond (transcend) institutional dogmas that bind me to defend freedom, raising my voice to be heard on behalf of those who seek equity and justice in all their forms.
I completed my PhD in Philosophy of Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. My dissertation and research was how teachers experience becoming teachers and their role as leaders.
I focus on leading, communicating, and innovating in organizations. This includes mindfuful servant-leadership, World Cafe events, Appreciative Inquiry, and expressing one's self through creativity. I offer retreats, workshops, and presentations that can be tailored to your organzations specific needs.
I published peer reviewed articles about schools as learning organizations, currere as an ethical pursuit, and hope as an essential element of adult eductaion. I published three poems and am currently preparing my poetry to publish as an anthology of poetry.
I present on mindful leadership, servant leadership, schools as learning organizations, how teachers experience becoming teachers, assessement, and critical thinking. I facilitate mindfulness, hospitality retreats. and World Cafe Events using Appreciative Inquiry.
I am writing and researching about various forms of leadership, how teachers inform and form their identity as a particular teacher, schools as learning organizations, hope and its anticipatory relationship with the future, and hope as an essential element in learning.
Teacher as Transformer 
Majestic!
What a magnificent animal.
He is. Had we not been part of a small tour I would have spent the afternoon just watching him.
He is Dan.
Beautiful poem. Beautiful picture !!
Thank you Lara.
What a great shot of a wonderful animal. Well captured in words too
Thank you. I was fortunate on that trip to get some great pictures up close. I have another of a bison where I am closer.
Bison are incredible. Such powerful animals
They are. Leaning over the side of the van only a few feet away reminded me of that, but I got a great picture and was protected by the van.
Safety first but good job getting the shot
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
Thank you Michael.
Thank you for the useful information and the poem. Really never known about elks in Yellowstone. Have a nice weekend. Michael
You are welcome Michael. I am glad you found the information useful. Take care and enjoy.
Beautiful! How fortunate you are he let you get so close. The poem is perfect.
Thank you Emilie. He seemed mostly undisturbed by my presence.
Wow, amazing! I was just there yesterday!:
https://crosscountrylifeblog.com/2017/07/08/yellowstone-national-park/
It is a beautiful place. I took a picture of a bison while I was leaning over the van. I was about 10 feet away.
Wow, that’s crazy! Yellowstone is such a fun place to be.
It is.
Absolutely a fantastic read 🙂 we could well be heading down here next week!! Do you know of any good 3-5 night hikes in the park? And get a good chance to see wolves? We have had a few adventures of our own you might enjoy 🙂 check out a few of my reads would love some feedback 🙂
Your blog is very interesting. I am following it now. I am sorry I cannot help you out with a multiple day hike. We did day trips. I know there are some incredible trips into the back country, so once you are or making your plans, you should be able to find something.
Thanks pal 🙂 i will have to look into it 🙂
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