|
A Profound Intrusion
By Florence Vining Thomen, East Canaan
Coyotes in the night!
Eerie howlings, like a tortured soul in hell,
Pleading—
And yet, emitting sounds so rapturous,
Filled with joy and longing—
Both at once; a paradox.
Who can know or understand
The depth of feeling, yearning, pleading,
Even perhaps the ecstasy
Of these plaintive utterings?
Within the confines of my quilts,
Half drugged with slumber,
I pause, enraptured,
To absorb within my spirit
Those potent utterings from the wild;
I am entranced with feelings
Deep within my consciousness
As if being privileged to attend
Some ancient ritual, not
For mere humankind to know.
My very soul rejoices—
And yet cries out in response
To those nocturnal chants.
I feel closer to the Great Spirit, somehow,
As if being in attendance
At a ritual, meant only for His ear.
Coyotes in the night!
| 
