Moose in April

by Ellen Taylor

We saw a juvenile moose this morning
standing by the side of the road,
as if waiting for a bus, bored,
watching the cars pass.

He leaned on one hip,
turned his head towards
the traffic, calm as a pedestrian
waiting for the light to change.
My studded snow tires must have
surprised him — he stepped
aside, then nodded his head
as if to say, “Hey, those are only legal
until May,” then he turned
on his haunches,
flicked his stubby tail
and sauntered away.