Find (one) a number between sunrise and

blackest night. Between cock crow (the north

neighbors) or the last notes of mockingbird in

eastern cedars.  Record (two) the shimmering slide

of the screech owl falling past the moon holding

the charred pine. Cradle (three)  the neighing of the bay

horse against the sounds of soon to waken

combines with their whining belts and hoppers

If you must frame it (four), call it mid-day or afternoon,

but it needs no name this passing of the sun’s arc

and the moon’s path. Navigate (Kixoⁿ⁾  the way of

the Ancestors,  who upon reaching five in Mandan,

knew counting to be a task only for the idle ones.