An Eerie Thing

Summary

A person describes an unusual encounter in Central Park involving a raccoon's paw protruding from a tree hole, which sparks musings about nature, fantasy, and the wonders of the world.

Abstract

While conversing on the phone with her brother, the narrator learns of an odd sighting in Central Park: a raccoon's paw emerging from a tree. Prompted by her brother's observation, she contemplates the possibility of the tree hole being a portal to another realm, reflecting on the influence of science fiction and fantasy literature on her perception. Despite the allure of such fantastical ideas, she acknowledges that nature itself offers plenty of wonder and delight, echoing the sentiments of transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau and poet Khalil Gibran. Ultimately, she decides to appreciate the mystery from a distance, leaving the adventure to more daring individuals.

Opinions

The narrator is intrigued yet cautious about the mysterious raccoon paw, suggesting a mix of curiosity and practicality.
She believes that nature can evoke a sense of wonder without the need for fantasy elements, indicating a deep appreciation for the natural world.
The narrator draws a parallel between the tree hole and literary portals like Alice's looking glass, revealing her imaginative inclinations.
She reflects on the impact of reading science fiction and fantasy on her interpretation of the world, implying a love for these genres.
The mention of Thoreau and Gibran's quotes shows the narrator's affinity for philosophical and poetic perspectives on nature.
Despite the temptation to explore the unknown, she prefers to admire the mystery from afar, hinting at a respect for nature's boundaries and perhaps a touch of fear.

Beakons from Central Park

Photo of… something by Steven Antonelli

So this happened in Central Park today, while my brother was talking to me on his cell phone.

“This is weird,” he said. “There’s a sort of hand, or paw, sticking out of a hole in a tree.”

He paused. Stepped a little closer. “It looks a raccoon paw, I think”.

Ever the overly cautious older sister, I said, “Take a picture if you can, but don’t stand too close!”

“It’s pretty strange looking. Maybe you can write a poem about it.”

“I think that’s possible,” I said. “Send me the picture.”

Is it just me, or is this picture kind of other-worldly? Perhaps it is a raccoon, stretching out his paw to test the air? Enjoying a gentle zephyr from the spring-like day?

Why then do I feel as if something is beckoning me with that attenuated, fur-covered paw?

Could the tree hole be an entrance to another world? Some other dimensions in time and space? An analog to Alice’s looking glass?

Or have I just been reading too much Science Fiction and Fantasy lately?

In fact, we don’t need Fantasy to experience wonder or delight in nature. Excitement can be found beneath our feet, at eye level, or high above our heads — whenever we can step outside to walk among trees, grass, and flowers.

“Heaven is under our feet and over our heads,” wrote Henry David Thoreau.

I agree wholeheartedly with that, but I love these words of Khalil Gibran, “Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”

The wind playing with my hair sounds like a delightful experience to me. But I don’t think I want that strange-looking paw to reach out from the tree bole and tangle with my hair.

I prefer that paw to stay where it is. Maybe some braver (or perhaps more foolhardy) soul will follow it to some other dimension!