Yellowstone in Winter

Thinking on Yellowstone

     on wolves

     on snow

My very bones

respond to vibrations

that beckon me

with seductive downturned eyes

     Go around the Road Closed sign

      I promise snowy delights

     you cannot imagine

Elk gathered in winter herd

collected like Christmas shoppers

at Rockefeller Center

hooves churning snow

in an elaborate ancient dance.

Delicate mountains of snow

Perched on shaggy winter-coated bison

head low, swaying back and forth
foraging for the last dry blades of grass.

And the wolves

Always my thoughts circle
back to the wolves
to summer nights in 1992
lying in my tent
in the heart of the glory that is Yellowstone

summer nights
     too quiet
     too empty
     without the soft shuffle of padded feet
     without a jubilant greeting
     without spine-shivering howling
     without the wolves.