Zorba: Learning to Howl
I showed you how to howl.
As you sat in our backyard
Looking blank (or self-absorbed?)
I called “Oo-woooo!” like a coyote
From the bathroom window.
You looked up, curious.
Your nose rose skyward, then an “Oo-”
Escaped the O your lips had formed.
Your muzzle and surprized eyes
Snapped back toward me. “Did I do that?”
You looked down, dubious.
Head back, again you formed your O. This time
You howled loudly (for all the neighbors)
“Oooooooo-wooooooo-wooooooo! Wooo-woo!”
Wagging your tail as the wail trailed off.
You acted guilty when I called you in.
You often spooked the neighbors after that
Calling from among the fallen headstones
Of the pioneer graveyard in the fog
Up the little hill two blocks away.
I acted innocent if anyone brought it up.