when the wild one howls

 when the wild one howls

how free are the wild ones

who roam forest and far field

mountain and valley

who follow the river

together, paired, eternal

no thought of tomorrow

of the death and living ahead

they hunt to eat

when hungry bellies shout insistent

of the need of the body

they kill to provide and protect

without malice of the mind and spirit

they run through wilderness of grass

spring green at summers start

and tramp the high trails

amidst the cold of winter’s long shadow

the present is their secret

existence in the now

their devotion beyond doubt

their love laid bare for all to know

together they shelter from the downpour

and find cool in the shade of mighty boughs

lying together as one

the young conceived in love are born

they grow strong and playful

churlish in the inbetween ages

and then full adult they depart

to make a world their own

the wild ones smile

and cherish still but from afar

their work is done, a little sadness

but soon,a glimpse, a spark of freedom

for they shall run and play again

together in their silver days

they learn to rest in the comfort

of themselves

in ways unknown in the restlessness of youth

until the autumn draws near

the leaves dry brown and gold

discarded by the forest trees

in preparation for the long cold

then bones grown old and stiff

and a heart worn from the joy of living

grows tired and stops

and only one remains, one wild one

howling for the moon

20/09/2022

Copyright © 2022 by Eryll Oellermann