he wrote : concerning wolves weve been lost and running since these many moons ago where we are and how we came is not for me to know through the rage of heartless weather wrought by skies unkind we still race to keep the pace for what we hope our final run will find crossing the tundra fighting the snow trusting instinct where to go perilous mountains rise in our path urging the gods to vent their wrath loping through these ancient forests full moon on the rise casting shadow 'neath our flight that we may realize that for all the wooded darkness light may still betray what we are and what we seek and what this aged voice may never say fording the rivers besting their chill finding the air colder still thirsting for sunrise we rest on the run cursing the clouds that shield the sun we are hunters of an open country seen by our hearts and dreams and by the hunger chasing us restless eyes and distant skyline melt into night that seems kin to the season facing us on the wind our fathers whisper that the path is true but with cold and empty belly hard to keep in view still the deep and vibrant calling surges to the fore lick your wounds and quell your pain the trail is long you 'll run forever more racing your shadow 's speeding grace urging the pack to keep the pace leaping the chasms plunging the deep ceding your life the pace to keep winds are fading with the darkness dawn is near at hand chasms rise and mountains part to yield their hinterland blinded by the sudden stillness shivering i see no more wolf no more life no more always running left for me facing the shadow i hoist my pride i reach the well deep inside mythical water you slake my thirst i surge to light as shackles burst : flannery put the letter down and wondered how come he knew so well : i surge to light as shackles burst .