A Profound Intrusion

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!