The noise it makes crackles
through pine needles,
startles the hiker
from his brooding obsessions
More startling is its light landing,
bouncing at his feet,
causing him to stop before it
He lifts it gingerly,
eyes its thin, tumbleweed form
as it shakes
in the dusting of forest light
The hiker adopts it,
carries it the rest of his hike
in his arms as he would a puppy
cast off from a brood
injured in a tumble,
Places it in the center
of the dining room table
a twisted find, a new friend,
another mystery to share
his mysteries with