We know the dogs’ bark,
coyote, cat, snake or stranger,
the horses’ snort or far off stare
at movement in the pasture.
We understand the nervous
titter of quail on patrol,
the cackle of blackbirds,
even the lonely owl’s deep hoot
just before dawn along
with the roadrunners’ redundant
chants of answers:
location, location, location!
The Buckeye forecasts spring
with premature greenery,
and the southwest wind
whispers a little rain.
All around us family,
each with a job to do
protecting what we have
in the middle of nowhere.
drycrikjournal 