coyotes, on the hillsides, call in hunger to one another all night long

Back home, he coaxes 

each of the cats 

onto the bed before

he sleeps.

Together, they wrap

themselves around

him, form a blanket

where my body

used to be.

Here, I pile

layer after layer

of quilts across

the bed, use their

weight to pretend

that everything's

the same.

Pacific houses

are never

warm enough.

I leave lights on

while I sleep.

The coyotes,

on the hillsides,

call in hunger

to one another 

all night long.

 

[William Reichard {1963- } 'Lullaby', from Sin Eater]