Random Poems

22 September 2024

Autumn equinox creeps
through persistent fog
at 8:43 this morning.
A moment of balance,
as light and dark nod
to one another
before they resume
their acrimony.

from Going Along… Conversations with Coyote 

Blackberry Redemption

I found Coyote pulling yet another bramble out of his tail with his teeth. “Why are all the brambles in your tail, and none on your snout or ears?” I asked, having seen him disappear face first in more than one blackberry patch. “Because that black bear picked me up and shoved me tail first into the prickliest part of the bush. Bears do not like to share,” Coyote grumbled. “Ohhh,” I said, doing my best not to grin. It seemed a change of topic was in order. “Do you believe in redemption?” I said, sitting down to help with the briars. “Yes, I suppose I do,” he responded. “It begins with atonement,” he said as he picked a bramble from between his front teeth. “The best way to make amends is simply – don’t do it again.” “I think that is exactly right. I wonder if bears ever make amends?” I asked.  “Unlikely,” he said, “highly unlikely.”