Mountains + Fake Death

Deep in the Paint Rock Mountains
a stranger thought you dead
On the rock at the bottom
of a tiny roaring waterfall
laying basked in afternoon sun
Less than ten people knew
and panic could not spread
only dissipate into the dense tree lines
Even if they’d screamed, only the
flicking quick ears of the horse
would hear them
Sprawled on the rock
Fish nibbling at the surface in the pool
The static roar of the water
continuing to blot out any other thought
as they descend through the brush
to the body
Only the gentle tap of a toe
on your shoulder would wake you