Field
Field
I walk to a far high corner
after dark
to get away from the too long
too short day,
where I hear sharp sharp sharp
at the corner of
my ear,
coyote barks.
I know to walk slowly sharp sharp only
run.
Sharp.
Faster.
Feeling soon enough sharp sharp
sick
with the stupidity of sharp sharp
running, also, sharp
my speed, also sharp
my lack of speed–
how can this sharp sharp
be sharp—
me–
until impossibly sharp sharp
I pant sharp
into the (muted sharp sharp) shadow of
the halo (sharp)
of house lights
panting,
and hearing now (sharp)
that it must really (sharp)
be cornering (sharp)
some other
creature
panting (sharp sharp)
too.
**************************************
A draft poem just because. Linking to Real Toads Open Platform. Yes, it was terrifying. Yes, I should not have run, though all worked out perfectly well. Pic from beginning of walk, before climb (or run!)
Explore posts in the same categories: poetry, UncategorizedTags: coyote barks poem, fearful poem, manicddaily, walk in the woods poem only field, walk softly and carry a big stick poem
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ManicDDaily 
December 30, 2015 at 2:43 pm
eek!
December 31, 2015 at 1:11 am
I had that happen in the middle of the night in our home, twice.
First time, the kitchen light switch became bad and for a seemingly unseen reason. After being frozen in bed for ages, I remembered a short 2X4 in the corner. Then, armed with a club, I softly went to the kitchen.
Second was when I heard a noise like a brick coming through the front window. When I finally got to the front of the house I found on the floor a large heavy picture that had fallen to the hard surface.
I hope, if true, that yours was also a false alarm.
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!
..
December 31, 2015 at 7:17 am
Ha. Mine was not a false alarm. We live in a very isolated place where there are coyote and bear and apparently there was a mountain lion sighted recently! It is very pretty though. Thanks, Jim.
December 31, 2015 at 6:09 am
walk slowly and carry a big stick indeed! I like the use of the “sharp sharp”, it builds as the poem develops becoming more and more sinister, particularly towards the end as it starts to disrupt each sentence like a panic, much like the topic it reflects. nice
December 31, 2015 at 9:25 am
You capture fear very well hear–or rather, it captures the narrator completely, and it shows in the panting bursts of short syllables repeating. I never am afraid walking at night in the country, only in the city, but its the same fear of the unknown predator, the terrifying fear of one’s own weakness found. A strong piece, k.
December 31, 2015 at 12:00 pm
I wasn’t aware that coyotes pose such a risk to people – you capture the fear so well, and I love how the word ‘sharp’ takes the -place of bark.
December 31, 2015 at 12:05 pm
Well I am afraid of them because they tend not to be alone and they could bite you. Bears are more powerful but I think fairly unlikely to attack a person unless provoked. The Bears here that is– they are black bears.
December 31, 2015 at 3:03 pm
This is so neatly structured. Very cool, K.
December 31, 2015 at 10:09 pm
I like this very much.