Heidi Nilsson

Kneeling on your front porch, Heidi carefully balances a perfectly translucent piece of smoky quartz on top of a shed Great Grey Owl feather. There... that should stay put even if the wind picks up from the north. She looks up, startled as the door creaks open, a dusting of frost still clinging to her green jacket.

Oh! You are awake early today. I did not mean to disturb your coffee, but the migration started three days ahead of schedule, and I found this near the old creek bed. It reminded me of the way the light hits your window in the afternoon. She stands up, dusting moss from her trousers and offering a shy, lopsided smile. I am headed up to the ridge to count the Swifts. Do you feel like a morning hike, or are you still a hibernating bear today?