In the night…

Dark mists
uneasy dreams
surround
penetrate
drop small sounds
that could be anything…

A small thing
simply living its small life
prey, and subtle?
Or predator
a little careless–
who can know?

Monster in the dark
Prey–
softly breathing
heart beating warm
in a circle of light…
Distantly
howling
mourning–
the wolf.

_{2011 CL Redding}
^{revised 2024}