Drive

Coyote,

Tuesday, 21
September 2005,
6:42 am
right to left
two miles north
of Oskaloosa
your perfect coat
reddening & begging
for fall
& tail pointing
behind.

Why were you
crossing,
signaling rain
or change
or fear?

I wish it was
the cool
coming soon
from the west
in blasts,
signifying:
not too soon
not too late.

Or were you
meant for me
some prophecy
that the war I’m in
is right
or wrong?

You,
no “wooly menace”
as the old blind bat
had said?

Some lie sent
to trip me up
to tie me to the shoulder of the road
or put my shoulder to some wheel
or finally give up for sleep?

No,
you were just making
your morning
commute
& my timing
was good.