Lone Lupine

 Long ago I was here

Perched on my little ledge,

Sounding my war cry

To frighten my rivals.

These woods were my kingdom

And I paraded them nightly,

A wise old lone wolf

Of a royal demeanor.

 

New creatures came near

The edge of my domain.

These humans caught my intrigue

And one night I approached to scout them.

 

For a while I was tamed

From friendship's warm fires.

I defended all manner

Of humans from dangers.

I supported all of those

Whom I saw needed help,

Tended to each person

That I saw in trouble.

 

Each and every human

Told me that if I was in need

I could howl out loud anytime

And they would help me out.

 

I stayed by their fires

Grew lazy under their hands,

Scratching behind my ears

And giving me what they called love.

With time I hunted for them

Giving more and more to all.

The green leaves faded

And the cold snows returned.

 

Still I stayed there

Warmed by man-made campfires

And slept in well made homes.

Gone from wolf to dog.

 

One night I wandered

As is normal for me,

Through the thick woods

That were once my domain.

I'd gone farther than normal,

Bored of the edge of my home.

Deep into the trees I ventured

And I was enjoying my little trek.

 

The perfect day was shattered

In a violent blur of gold.

My dulled natural instinct

Had failed to notice a hungry cougar.

 

I fought for my life as I had twelve moons before,

Using teeth and claws to try to rip through sinew.

Much slower than I was long ago,

The easy food had dimmed my muscles.

What once would have been a simple dance to me

Had become a struggle of life or death.

I was not an old lone wolf anymore

But rather a big dog with wolfish stature.

 

Her teeth sank deep into my flanks

And her claws rent gashes along my sides.

My blood dripped deep crimson

On the freshly fallen snow.

 

The pain drove me mad and fear gave me strength,

I turned on my attacker fierce as I'd been.

My golden eyes flashed with anger and hatred

Towards my natural rival in the wooded kingdom.

My lips curled in a snarl while my teeth pierced her flesh

And the taste of fresh blood renewed me again.

Moments later instinct took over again,

And my vise-like jaws clamped on the mighty throat.

 

Our battle done, I shook her carcass.

The winter ground was soaking our hot blood.

With nothing to fight anymore

I calmed and realized my own wounds.

 

Remembering the promises made

By my human friends

I turned my head high

And howled into the night.

Nobody came, I waited a moment.

A second time, I sounded my cry.

Fear and pain filled my head,

Loss of blood made me dizzy.

 

Not a single person helped

As they said they would.

I lay injured and needy

And they never came to me.

 

Anger at their treachery

Filled me deep with anguish.

I did not go back again

To their fires that night.

Instead I sat with my throat sore

And licked my wounds clean on my own.

Knowledge of false promises

Kept me from returning to them.

 

Now I sit here upon this ledge

Howling again at the glorious moon.

She watches me, granting plenty of light

While I stalk around my kingdom of trees.

Author's Note

old piece brought back

Reviews

[KAOlmsted]

As someone who lived in Alaska, I can tell you...you captured the captive Wolf beautifully...you got inside of the animal and lived Wolf's life; and I felt Wolf's pain because of it...I don't often cry for Wolf, but today I did. And I rejoiced. Thank you.

[John Stussy]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed this poem.

[lee von cleef]

Moglee, I am not ,but often I will stop Traffic ,or pull to the side, people, the weight of their eyes press in on my will,but stop I do, Reach and pick up,a coon,possum,dog,cat,snake,rat,turtle,beaver, before they, they with heavy eyes will drive it to a smear of grease.So I too walk the edge of the road and howl at the moon ,or a wise a*s with a jake brake.

[MOON]

Beautiful poignant write about the state of human life in general . Abandoned wounded licking your own wounds under the full moon glare.

[_mal]

People suck. This is really good, it will always be a look in

[None]

What a creation you have here! I am one who has always related to the wolf, the full moon and I easily was drawn in with your penetrating poem. Your skillful way of writing shows in your poetic story here. Your descriptive words parallel how life can be for those of us who trust. I thoroughly enjoyed your excellent poem!

[Larissa G.]

It does sound like an Indian legend, although in that case it might need some more mystifying features. :)
I also noticed how much stronger the piece could be without the last stanzas. Of course then your problem is it changes the ending a bit...because it implies that the wolf died. But that's what I've noticed, and overall it's really nice to read.

[Rain]

Wow,
Sounds like a great Indian legend. Great write. Rain..

[darkgurl]

This is a very well written write here, I like this it's very descriptive as well, Wonderfully written....KIm

[These Haunted Hallways]

Yes!! Dude, this was totally awesome! Totally amazing! The Night Wolf became The Lone Night Wolf Stalker! Very descriptive and gripping. Loved it!

B.A.

[Ice Queen of the Vampir..]

Did he have to kill the cougar??? lol Sorry, that's the cat lover in me talking. :D This is a great piece and I enjoyed reading it. Wonderful job!!!

Heather