Of Shifting Sands and Marigolds
On encountering a coyote on a walk along the lake
Along the path that runs the lake each way South of Jarvis just below Stands a coyote leaning slight One leg held held stiffened, just noticeable
It sways but this could be the wind Which ruffles its patchwork coat Tawny brown and red in sun’s approach With black tipped tail and yellowed gaze It looks at me motionless slightly canted Bloodshot eyes don’t dart remain On my face without hint of threat Feared or offered A bloodless treaty struck at dawn
In my fevered inability To see future options that remove This half baked life A sad impersonation without known remedy I see this creature, no, creation Which injured sure it’s coat hangs rough The chink triangular in it’s ear Speaks of fights though not the cause
But now it stands and asks nothing from me It needs no pity, help or vengeance No charity does it seek or protection beg Instead stands proud imperfect wild Asking for just my company And the dawn brightened sky And the cooling breeze through marram grass
Eyes locked we understand each other All enmity evaporates And fear of repercussions Often spent when tame and wild cross each other A calmness steals, my heartbeat calms Blessings formed, sent, received
Together we turn to the softly rippling waves Which bounce and play and beg us join And companionably share the birth of a new day And a new hope a gossamer thread Which between us connects, unites
Natalie Frank (Taye Carrol) has had work featured in Haunted Waters Press, Weirdbook Magazine, Siren’s Call Publications, Lycan Valley Press and Zero Fiction among others. Her poetry has been featured in several anthologies. She is Editor for 1-One-Infinity, The Partnered Pen and One Table, One World and is Editor in Chief for Promposity and Mental Gecko. She is also the Managing Editor for Novellas and Serials at LVP Publications.
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