While living for a short time with relatives in central Florida as a teenager, I told the lie (thinking this mad tale of adventure would be my key to acceptance) of having seen a bobcat while walking in the piney woods.

I've seen precious few bobcats, always fleetingly and at a distance. A while ago, in broad daylight, unconcerned with my presence, one sauntered across my lawn, easily, gracefully climbed the woodpile, from there briefly perched atop the wall, then jumped down into invisibility. It was calm, deliberate, unhurried, completely self-contained, unmistakably untamed, master of its world.

Not at all like a lie.

10/5/2021