<p>A coyote taught me about poetry and life. A four-part collection of poetry and prose tells of a journey of discovery that began during daily observations in the high desert of New Mexico. I met coyotes cranes and a homeless man who occupied the same territory on the edges of urban life. These experiences led to my involvement in a grassroots movement to save rural land from development. After a cross-country move to the Sunshine State the fecund profusion of Southern wildlife and century oak trees deepened my appreciation for nature&rsquo;s diversity. Treasures and Connections chronicles loss death and triumph of an internal journey to acceptance. The poems of love and relationships recount the personal examination that enabled me to understand life&rsquo;s fragility. The final section is a tribute to my mother a woman of her time who wrote poetry and yearned to be heard.</p>