Watchers – A Poem by Brandon White

Friends, here’s another poem inspired by this past weekend’s cabin stay. I’ll let you take in the piece without filling-in too much, but I must say, isn’t a world of wide-open possibility so much more exciting than one of harsh absolutes? I hope you enjoy the poem. Feedback is always welcome and appreciated!

Watchers:

We park the car outside the cabin 
and step into the chilly night,
our heads swimming from too many 
samples from the local winery

The smell of sulfur
hangs heavy in the air,
the source hidden 
among the trees

A guttural howl heard
the night before was enough
to send you scurrying
indoors

We put the kids to bed,
pour ourselves a drink
and sit beneath a blanket
on the back-porch swing

I take a deep breath of cold,
now-clean smelling air
and swirl my whiskey around its glass,
your head resting on my shoulder

A few moments later,
another howl from somewhere
in the distance sends coyotes 
into hysterics

I smile,
pushing aside every rational
explanation that comes to mind,
opting instead,

for wonder



-Brandon White