The Coyotes Are Celebrating

The coyotes are celebrating tonight
Under the full moon’s light.
That orb as high as a noonday sun
Goring through trees, through leaves,
Churns night-dark earth for all that it’s worth.
Their paws trample grasses as they gather from their dens,
Their high-stepping prances as they gather in the glens,
Standing up on hinds, walking oh so tall,
Walking like Two-legs, walking wall to wall.
Their noses twitch gently, sniffing Two-legs’ air.
Their noses twitch gently as if they really care,
Talking woodland politics,
Talking coons, possums, bear.
They’re talking woodland politics,
Talking who goes here and there.
Their laughter raises hairs on the Two-legs’ necks,
Their laughter rising, rising till the moon is kept in check.
Two-legs listen fearful under blankets all night long
To the keening and the weening of coyotes’ night-long song.