Sister Song


I lay sleepless,
snug in bed,
steeling psyche
against lonesome
this first night
of your long
absence.

A single coyote,
high and whining,
her voice close,
sings one haunting
quavery
aria.

She and I,
we cloak selves
in primitive defense.
Lift full throat laments,
then hunker down,
face the wind,
so chill,
so cold,
so lone,

too wild to cry.