JACK

                                        …we do not deserve to witness this courage.
                                                          – Jim Harrison (“Rachael’s Bulldozer”)

On the dark side, the dog barks—
identifies intruders by syllables clipped
in tempo and tone, awakened to

Opossum:
                    rapid incessant,
                    making little progress
                    like a Skunk
                    without its scent

Coyote:
                    deep, sure and quick
                    breaking-up
                    into the high-notes

Feral Hog:
                    tractor steady
                    onward

Bobcat:
                    quick and distant

Lion:
                    like a coyote
                    without the high-notes

Bear:
                    don’t know

Raccoon:
                    growl and hiss,
                    the battle’s on!

                    fumble naked,
                    light and gun
                    to referee