the permission of the coyotes

robin black

it took over an hour to climb up 

the zig-zag trail to the ridgetop 

where a boulder overlooks lake berryessa

and I climbed up sometimes for the view  

that day a rattlesnake owned the boulder  

he shook his rattle at me as if to say 

“not today mister” 

I gave him a deep bow gassho 

to thank him for his warning 

I have always appreciated 

the good man…