Friends with the Wild

My daily appointment is timed
to fall when I return home
a friend waiting in the driveway
wandering aimlessly
until I step into sight
a happy little hop
and clicks and croaks
the dance we follow
on our hot afternoons

and when our visit ends
and I have returned
to the great indoors
stepping away
from being friends with the wild
for civilization and structure
a murder congregates
to converse
and do a happy little dance
of hops and bows
across the yard
strewn with gifts for them – Caroline A. Slee