I share the road with the darting lizard,
greet other hikers
where before there was only a quickening
to save myself from saying hello.
I hear a horse neigh, reminded of a story
where a boy does not wish to marry
a princess, but to return home,
and just about then
a coyote pokes his head
from a sea of wild radish.
less afraid than I am startled,
I wish him to stay,
for us to stand together,
open our throats and howl.