The Calling
- for my inner Wolf
Deep in the forest where nobody goes,
there lies a secret that nobody knows.
Nobody but I, for they Called only to me,
I, who always loved the Wild, and longed to be free.
When the Calling first sounded, only I could hear,
my family felt nothing, and I was filled with fear.
Now, though, I listen eagerly for it every night,
now filled with wonder and joy, not fright.
Tonight, drawn by the Call, I leave my cozy room,
knowing now I'm not heading towards my doom.
I slip out of the house, eager to be free,
remembering this time to bring my house key.
Deep into the forest I calmly stride,
and the trees begin to close in on every side.
The moon is full, a soft night wind blows,
as I walk my eagerness grows and grows.
I brake into a run, but I have no fear,
this will be a night I'll forever hold dear.
Deeper and deeper into the woods I go,
towards the secret that nobody must know.
Then the trees suddenly stop, the air grows still,
and I see the wolves waiting up on the hill.
Before me lies the secret, a small, clear pool,
its water is calm, its actually a tool.
I look into it, but my reflection I do not see,
instead, a wolf's noble face stares back at me.
Out on the hill, the wolves Call to me again,
no doubt they want to know where I've been.
I take off my cloths and dive into the pool,
just as always, the water is clean and cool.
As I swim I feel myself beginning to change,
gone now are all my worries, my fear, my rage.
Suddenly the night becomes nearly as light as day,
and my ears begin to pick up sounds from far away.
A thousand different scents flood into my nose,
everything from a rotting carcass to a blooming rose.
I reach the far side and pad up onto the grassy bank,
sniffing the spots where other animals stopped and drank.
I shake water from my silver-gray fur and look up the hill,
the pack of wolves are sitting there, watching me still.
Then as one they come racing down to greet me,
they're glad I've finally come, I can see.
They gather around me, for I've been sorely missed,
for me, the "species barrier" has now ceased to exist.
I crouch before the Alpha-wolf and respectfully lick his snout,
if I where still human, I'd probably be foolish, I'd whoop and shout.
Then together we race through forests now bright,
our yellow eyes piercing the darkness of the night.
As one, we run and play, howl and fight, hunt and kill,
so wild, so free, I rejoice in this forgotten skill.
Under my paws I can feel the heartbeat of the Earth,
the whole forest is joyfully whispering of my rebirth
I am now a wolf, an untamed spirit of the Wild,
and to think that yesterday I was just a human child!
Hours later, we assemble on the hill, singing beneath the moon,
dawn is coming, and the wolves know I must leave them soon.
They whimper and whine, they want me to stay,
and experience with them the joys of the day.
But I can't, so I lick and nuzzle them, saying good-bye,
then I pad down to the pool, feeling like I'm about to die.
And in a way, I do, as I enter that secret water,
swimming away, the pool begins to withdraw its power.
When I reach the far shore I am human one more,
and all my senses have again become quite poor.
As I put on my cloths, I see the wolves still on the hill,
they Call to me, and walking away takes all my will.
I walk back through the forest where nobody goes,
leaving behind the secret pool that nobody knows.
Finally I reach my house and quietly unlock the door,
almost collapsing with weariness onto the floor.
I tiptoe up to my room and fall upon my empty bed,
outside, the sun rises, briefly painting the sky blood-red.
For a few hours I sleep, dreaming of my wild wolf kin,
and of the nights when we'll run together once again.
- Copyright by Sloane J. 2007
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