For the otter


Otter drawn by Jackie Morris

I wish I'd listened harder
© Yvonne Mokihana Calizar, 2020


To the gravel-deep voice
and the tall tales so true.

I wish I'd listened harder

When you called to Blue
or set the table with odd
plates and good food.

I wish I'd listened harder

For the laughter, sharp
and tender glints in those
Welsh eyes that knew
true reckoning.

I wish I'd listened harder

Maybe then the pain
of heart-break would
have stitched together
real and simple
like a grouse whistle.


I wish I'd listened harder

But you did.
Sleek otter
at the Clinton
shore.
I saw
you.

-For Raymond North, a dear old friend

RELATED
"For World Otter Day: the Blessings of Otter" on Myth & Moor. Terri Windling


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