Her Howl

I didn't know 

I could let it pour, softly – fiercely 

without thought

of whether it will be liked 

or understood. I always thought safe 

meant sheltering it, filtering out the too

watering down the color 

when what I really wanted most –

what I really want 

most 

is to let it spill like this relentless

Oregon rain. Which reminds 

me of that day she sat, head to sky

and howled with wild abandon 

and how that howl contained 

all the loss and love 

her little dog heart

could hold

for the beloved woman

who would never breathe again. If only 

I could release the ugly and pretty 

of it with a single lamenting

celebratory howl

without concern for anything 

other than letting truth

be truth

letting me - finally

be me

*Image found HERE