Suddenly, over the slope, as if tethered to a cord of air drawing quickly upward, came a Northern Harrier, motionless but for its rising. So still was the bird - wings, tail, head - it might have been a museum specimen. Then, as if atop the wind, it slid down the ridge, tilted a few times, veered, tacked up the hill, its wings hardly shifting. I though, if I could be that hawk for one hour I'd never again be just a man.

Summary

This quote describes the awe-inspiring flight of a Northern Harrier, observed by the narrator. The bird appears to effortlessly soar and navigate through the air, so still and graceful that it resembles a static museum specimen. The observation mesmerizes the narrator, leading them to contemplate the freedom and otherworldly experience of being able to move through the sky like the hawk. The quote captures the sense of yearning to transcend ordinary limitations and embrace the untamed spirit and freedom of nature.

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