Perhaps ten yards
outside the front door
Mama passes
frequently yipping
her two pups slipping
on the canyon side of the fence
down into the ravine tripping clumsily
chasing June bugs and shadows…
Mama sits there regally
watching me warily
(and them
occasionally)
her ears turned
curiously listening
as I yip and woof
a little like her
hoping to connect
talking gently to avoid
threatening her or the pups
chasing a gray cat now through
dead eucalyptus leaves….
I love that she’s
an outside animal,
as wild as a northern wind,
healthy, watchful, independent,
a furry tube of magnificent muscle
living without hindrance….
Mama coyote passes
frequently yipping
her head cocked curiously
listening as I tell her she's loved...
.
richard lloyd cederberg
9/2020
         Between the Cracks - A Monumental Journey Series