the words and ghost coyote are following us—

it’s cold, kind of breezy

I’m uneasy

Jack looks over his shoulder

constantly

feeling my energy

hearing the phrases

feeling my negativity

smelling ghost coyote—

the words are mean and frightening

ghost coyote is hungry

I pretend not to focus but

high anxiety

is not just an old movie

the words and ghost coyote are following us

our steps are spent

being paranoid

Tiggy doesn’t care

he’s in the moment

his intent is scratch and sniff

is all nose

pulling us forward

the words and ghost coyote are behind us

I pretend not to hear them, see it— and

pull Jack along

shaking off the veil

good boy, I hear

myself say