I will leave early one winter morning
like the forgotten robin
after the first startle of snow
silent
waiting for the north wind to still
(I pray not like a coward)
who
at the first greening of spring
surprised a cold and sleepy night crawler
pulled
held on
frantic in mortal combat
(speaking for the worm)
gave wings to the sightless

A nest to gather
beams of twigs and carpets of leaves
leftovers from fall’s grave yard
on duty
eager to camouflage the lonely
lady slippers
from callous thieves
dull plastic string long discarded
after neighborhood yard sales
mindless
ready to clog gut and airway
of the unaware

A nest to build
shelter for greedy blind offsprings
destined to leave naïve
full-bellied
squawking
drunk with beaked-gapping ignorance
all plantings of fear
(we all have to feed ourselves alone someday)
                                   
               *

To her full height
a she-bear statues herself
back-paws the seasoned youngster at her side
weans him without notice
again
a once and for all lesson
tumbles the black fur ball
down the blueberry hill
to the salmon silver river below

It’s his time to growl
hackle up
claw and bite
snatch and eat
in ravenous gulps
the ocean’s mana
those rare Atlantic survivors
obedient cold-bloods
who braved currents
marauding pirates of the deep
who escaped unseen or scarred
who swam beaconed home
only to deposit the matching code
behind a barricade of teeth

Know that the time will come
to taste the killer’s acid
even vomit guilt
before the cruel and majestic edict
(one must die so that the other might live)

                        *

A thin black cat
carries a decade of new years in her limbs
scratches at the worn backdoor
open to stranger and neighbor alike
since the civil war

It’s her time to leave
empty
the warmth of the woodstove rug
the moist tuna and chicken dish
the lapped cerulean milk bowl
fooling the old dog
asleep in squirrel dreams
slowed as well by her arthritis
precursor of the final stiffness

Always a medicine cat
off duty this time of day
she wants away from the two-legged world
called by her gripping destiny
unavoidable
as the scent of prey
as the stirring of the rut
as the belly’s wild twitch
to stalk in her barn yard paradise
the rainbow of birds
possessed by their own urgings
distracted
she hopes
by the expensive thistle bag
scattered sunflower seeds
hanging suet and peanut butter balls
a kill
she hopes
an honest porch offering
left behind in gratitude
to the farmer’s wife
a gardener-goddess who provides
gives birth
mends fences and hearts
and
at the appointed time she
like pilgrims everywhere
bids farewell
to the familiar
and
welcomes
the fiery roar of the stars