It is July in the Okanagan Everywhere is brown and yellow White boulders, white bones rise out of dry creek beds Tonight the sun sinks in a fire season haze tracing mars red over sage, cactus and sand
As I walk toward the long night the wind hot in my face puffs of dust rise with every step Out there, coyote, laughs high and shrill Tonight he will stalk Tonight he will sing
Tonight I will dance by the fire at the summer powwow I will laugh with coyote At the bone game I will wager with cunning and skill everything I own Tonight I will stalk as I sing his song
Tomorrow I will sleep and smile at my children’s round bellies