|
Jackals
by Kristina WoodhillNight slips in
Brushing cool ‘gainst
DayÂ’s hot, searing glare
A perfect screen for, before
Her stars pin-pricking
Points of light
Begin their stunning
Diamonded show
Embedded in the velvet night
Above the desertÂ’s dusted stage
Daylight players fade
Camels now in silhouette
Throat filled grumbles mellowed
By midnightÂ’s grinding ruminate
Front leg bent and tethered
TomorrowÂ’s role assured
Burdens change
Worth insured
Soft eyes dream
In peace
Soft steps mark a path
Beckoned by a
Different tale
Canined ears alert
Bobbing heads
Remark a scentÂ’s
New trail
Watching othersÂ’ backs
Weaving, dodging
Safety lurks in
Packs
Hunting tensions mount
The nightÂ’s voice
Must be heard
Short, quick barks
Precurse, prewarn
Rising, falling,
Rising, calling
Ow, ow, ow, OW!
Ow, ow, ow, OW!
Sharp pitched howling
Calling to OrionÂ’s club
An Afghan opera
To the starry night
Ears and windows
Open wide
DayÂ’s heat slowly fades
A human pup
Is curled up tight
Inside her blanketÂ’s cave
Every neck hair standing straight
Her eyes shut tight
Against this Afghan
acapella fright
Daylight shifts the scene
A human pup pack
roams the streets
Howling to the sun
Rising, falling,
Rising, calling
Ow, ow, ow, OW!
Ow, ow, ow, OW!
Hoping that the jackals hear
Trying to become
And tame
Their Afghan nighttime fears
02/03/2006
Posted on 02/03/2006
Copyright © 2024 Kristina Woodhill
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Mara Meade on 02/03/06 at 06:08 PM Oh Kristina! You captured those deep, dark, mysterious nights in the desert so well... I see, I hear, I remember! |
| Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 02/03/06 at 08:45 PM Your many wonderful details make this a beautiful vision. Nice work! |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 02/04/06 at 08:52 PM I have to agree with Mara and Greg. Well done, thought provoking, spirit stirring read from start to finish. |
| Posted by Charles E Minshall on 02/06/06 at 03:35 AM WOW! This one goes into my favorites list
right now. Wonderful read....Charlie |
| Posted by Elizabeth Jill on 02/06/06 at 06:41 PM I felt this poem upon first meeting it, and slipped it under my door for lingering inside of later. And then? —I dreamed it last night, Kristina, vivid as every sound you wrote. wow. |
| Posted by Kathleen Wilson on 02/06/06 at 07:17 PM Wonderfully vivid...I am there with you too.
The human pup image is amazing...and the "ears and windows open" and "eyes shut tight" beautiful
oppositions...revealing the clearest vision!!
In my favorites. |
| Posted by Mara Meade on 04/07/06 at 11:47 AM POTD Mubarak, Kristina! |
| Posted by Joan Serratelli on 04/07/06 at 12:49 PM Very vivid- could see and feel everything you wrote. Congrats on POTD!! |
| Posted by Charles E Minshall on 04/07/06 at 07:11 PM Congratulations on poem of the day Kris...Charlie |
|
