I searched the sky for what to see, but caught myself staring back at me.

You listen to Spooked. Stay tuned. In Michigan, In Michigan, It's a ritual.

Late fall, early winter, ride four hours up north.

Stop the car.

Put in your orange reflective jacket, your orange knit-capped gloves.

It's cold boots.

Maybe even a flask of Kentucky's finest to help you pass the time.

And you're gone.

Treck over hill and dale to your secret spot, the special place only you and your boys know about. Then you leave, right there against your tree, still, silent, wait.

Then maybe you hear the underbrush crackle

Before you actually see the creature

Wary, suspicious, wild, deer, antlers, raised, noble I've walked these forests these Michigan woods dozens of time sighted the animal raised my rifle braced it against my shoulder rested my finger on the trigger checked to be sure all is clear still. I've never fired a shot.

Never.

I don't know why

don't know why

friends say I'm too scared

I don't think so

I think instead I like

the power

in these woods the power to decide.

What if?

My name is Glenn Washington.

...