Sonnets From Other Lives: Banks

He took shelter underneath a cedar--
took welcome respite from the pouring rain
just to rest a moment--take a breather--
before venturing into the storm again.
He thought that he might have at least an hour
or so before someone raised an alarm
& every cop in Whatcom county came to scour
the dark forest that stretched out from his farm
clear up to the treeline of the Cascades
for him. He stood and stretched his back.
Cross the border & he’d have it made.
He bent down and hefted up his pack.
Time the face the storm--he ventured forth.
Two hours east or so & he’d cut north.