Coyote Poem

Stepping into cold November
Night wraps smoke-thick 'round tainted lungs
Concert of familiar young
Nightly from the West they yip and yelp in fearless play
Tonight a different sound
Eastbound lonely bitch cries moonward
Again
Again
Again
Each syllable changes
Burns deep untranslatable meaning
Like woman wailing for her demon lover (kudos kubla khan)
Her lament silences all
Save nervous domestics cold-slab chained
Growling nervous response
Yet something tugs them
Are we that dissimilar?
Recall years past
Night at fire
We heard the kill frenzy
The pack
Bitch and young together in one pure machine
Coming fast across the second field
You grabbed the ax and hurried me inside
They were that close
And you were my hero
Strong defender against ALL that is wild (child)
And now
What has happened?
You are the toothless domestic
Growling at shadows and taunting death with impotent claws
I mourn for you
Turn sadly toward the door
Lock myself in
And pray for sleep