Gallina Canyon

All night the cattle bellowed,cows and calves of the separated herdseeking each other under helpless stars,never sleeping, even when the dog slept.

Cows and calves of the separated herd,loud as the far-flung buffalonever sleeping, even when the dog slept.I heard a world of other animals,

loud as the far-flung buffalo,loud as mother bears calling to their young.I heard a world of other animalsfilling the canyon with their awful song.

Loud as mother bears calling to their young,a night of wailing from the walls,filling the canyon with their awful songfrom open lungs among the cottonwoods.

A night of wailing from the walls.I could not sleep. The night was at a loss.From open lungs among the cottonwoods,mothers were calling to their young.

I could not sleep. The night was at a loss.All night the cattle bellowed.Mothers were calling to their young,seeking each other under helpless stars.