The Village That Raised

Samuel, balancing and speeding recklessly on the one remaining good ski, maneuvers, arching expertly, and sails helplessly around the ibex . . . The ibex, aware that she is no longer the sole occupant of this place, looks up nonchalantly as if to ask, "Who is entering my space?" and finds Samuel, almost stopped now, on his knees, in a kind of kinetic prayer position, precisely between Etnas and the two calves.