T
oday you told me that the wolves came back
To Rome, but didn’t mention if a bird
Flew over left to right, on the right track,
For fragile hope, speak no ill-omened word.
Wolves will restore the balance to a place
Cull deer, grow trees, bend rivers, and their sway
Shapes of the land itself a wilder space.
Of course, it’s true there’s other news today.
Ill omens reaching out their bloody spoor
Hurricane, earthquake, famine, hatred, lack,
Bad water, cholera, destruction, war.
Against the autumn sky the birds whirl black
Which augurs well, so I shall hope once more:
Today you told me that the wolves came back.
2nd October 2017
