Posted Tuesday, June 22, 2004 by Robert Brady

BRIEF TRIPS TO HEAVEN

Within splendid lakeside breezes under black pines I watch hawks catch fish too big for them, much the way some folks are with large ideas-- can't regain the elevation, fly 30 meters and drop the fish-- one flew close overhead and the fish looked amazed, stock still in the awe that comes with extreme experience, was dropped back in and said to his schoolmates: You're not going to believe this but there's a world beyond this one, and he was chosen to lead the schools, or so it appeared. Because after that, it seemed like more fish were caught and dropped; so before I let go of this idea, judging by a rough count I'd surmise that the hawks and the fish have a deal going: one meal for every ten rides into heaven.