An otter place and time

I hadn't expected to find you here --
nor you me, I expect --
both of us
were quite engaged
in pursuing other tasks
(me with my camera,
you with your food)
but for this brief moment,
there is that quiet connection,
an acknowledgement of sorts,
and I
who have known and loved you
all my life
at last can see you face to face
and revel in your bright gaze,
the precision of your claws and whiskers;
the soft glow of your thick wet fur.


* * *