Coyote in the meadow

A Poem by Archie Logsdon

Just some writing.

One time I was at my family's cabin at Horse Meadow, by myself. I just went up there to do some fishing.
It was getting dark, and I heard this coyote making the most horrible, painful cries.
I knew that there was a guy that lived in Johnsondale trapping them for money, and it sounded to me like the coyote was caught in a leg hold trap and crying out for mercy.
Of course I was drinking (well, it was after dark....) but I couldn't take it, and I tried to wind my way through the trees to release him from the trap, carrying my beer, and an extra one, because I'm a country boy, with me...
I emerged from the shadows of the trees and there he was, on the edge of the meadow, nose pointed at the stars , howling at the heavens. And another coyote, with her nose almost touching his, howling along with him.
No leg hold trap..
Something much worse -
Love.
God help that poor beast.
I couldn't.
But, fortunately, I had another beer.....

And the stars.