night calling

the wild call came before the sun
a village asleep
a thick starry sky
wide and awake

quiet slipper descent on frosty steps
the first footfall lands on frozen ground
as the wolf dogs upriver alight
a chorus of longing that lifts, swells and evaporates

a moment of deep silence swallows all resistance

cheeks still wet from tangled dreams
renew with tears of gratitude

the silence
the black jeweled dome
the mountainous frames
awe expands time

raven head watches under his snow rock blanket
twinkle thoughts flicker above

from down river
beyond the village
the wild ones reply in vowels

an ancient poem of lament
that mingles with my mourning

for this brief moment
belonging
to the call
to the cold
to the wild