COMPANIONS OF THE NIGHT
Wind, like a knife of cold steel,
cuts through multiple layers
of clothing until it pierces to my
soul. As I seek shelter from the cold,
the wind's breath intensifies, tries
harder to chill my bones.
Moonlight creates eerie shadows
that jump and start. Leafless trees
bend and twist to the rhythm
of the wind while their warped
fingers clutch and grasp at me.
Rustling, furtive sounds follow
as I move.
An opening in a thicket brings respite.
Suddenly, growling and sniffing,
a large wolf curls up next
to me, shares his warmth.
When gray light of dawn erodes
night sky, my companion rises,
stretches, peers out, then lopes
away into morning mist.
Eric H. Read