…She is a howling in the wilderness we can never see…
-from The Memory Palace, by Mira Bartók
A mere howl away.
That’s as far as the family has roamed. That’s all I need do, and their answer will guide me to them.
Why don’t I?
I am the Alpha, father to my cubs, mate of my mate. We hunt our range with pride. Should our prey catch even a glimpse of my black fur, they would flee. But a far more dangerous predator hunts me!
Twilight comes. I can’t shake him. I dare not lead him to my family, or them to him.
But my mate betrays me without knowing it. Her howl peels across the distance between us. My predator stops, tilts his head. He will not abandon his pursuit now.
A mere howl away. I do not answer, even when a lone tear swells in my eye. My mate and cubs will never know how desperately I yearned to reply. But I have one chance to save them.
When twilight fades, I must strike.
nightfall
a single crack of thunder
as the sky turns black
last breaths as another
lonely howl goes unanswered
for Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 152, #Poet’sChoice
With Real Toads’ Wordy Monday with Wild Woman: The Wolf Mother (imagined by Sherry)
dVerse Poets’ dVerse Poetics: On Shades of Black (pubtended by Anmol (HA))
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Frank J. Tassone 
Heartbreaking, Frank. Even in the animal kingdom we have separated them into “good” and “bad”, usually by attributes involving how we can benefit from them or not 😦
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Indeed. We are the deadliest predator on the planet. Thanks, Jade! 🙂
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You’re welcome.
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Nice last two lines.
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Thanks, Frank! 😀
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Wolves are vilified. It is a sad world we live in.
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Yes, they are. And yet, who vilifies them save the apex predator of the planet.
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A well told tale of the desperation of survival, Frank.
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Oh this one breaks my heart. It reminds me of the story of a wolf whose mate was caught in a trap – he stayed nearby and even brought her food until she died. There was a mournful howl then too. Yes, a far more dangerous hunter is man. Sigh. You took me right there, Frank.
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Thank you, Sherry! 😀
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Very intense piece, Frank.
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You have narrated quite a story about that lonely howl — it’s such an urgent and action-packed scene. Powerful!
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Predator is exactly the right word for humans. (K)
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Reblogged this on Where Genres Collide Traci Kenworth YA Author & Book Blogger.
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Thank you for the reblog! 😀
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We are always the top predator… and who can blame a wolf for striking back?
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Who, indeed? Who among us would not defend our family? Thanks, Björn! 😀
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Drama in the night! Poignant portrayal of family instinct.
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Thanks! 😀
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Tense and exciting Frank — it drew my breath to stillness. Well written!
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Thanks, Rob! 😀
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Frank, you have the gift of assuming a persona and sharing the character’s emotions. What a powerful poem. You brought the heart and soul of the wolf alive with your prose. ❤
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Thank you, Colleen! I appreciate your high praise! 😀
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You’re a total pro, Frank!
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…that lonely howl in the darkness…..a visceral write.
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