Life is a bridge.
Cross over it,
but build no house on it.

Indian Proverb

XX a

Owl looked at the stream.
He hated wading in water.
But he saw no alternative.
He muttered, turned toward Coyoté
who just stood staring down
and wiggled his wet toes.
A smile grew slowly
as he looked up at Owl.

Then the foot flung
water
up
and over
Owl's
shocked face.

Life is a foreign language: all men mispronounce it.

Christopher Morley

XX b

Owl sputtered
angry sounds
incoherent
as he lept back,
losing his balance
on wet rocks
and slide
halfway
into wet
cold
flowing
water.

XX c

Coyoté
still smiled
wiggling toes
in cold
wet
flowing
water.