August 2022
Robert Wexelblatt
wexelblatt@verizon.net
Bio Note: To Have Seen What I Have Seen, See What I See, a new book of poems, was published in June.

Author's Note: Predators have moved into the suburbs, even the cities. This poem is more about the resentful speaker than the brazen coyote. I live in a suburb outside Boston and I’m not resentful at all.

The Coyote of Myrtle Avenue

I suspect he’s a Democrat;
something about the way he lopes.
Damn sure he’s an atheist.  Godless.
Brazen.  The McCarthys’ puppy’s 
missing yet we’re infested 
with rabbits, not to mention the 
skunks. No civic responsibility.
Pays no taxes.  Deadbeat dad.  Lolls
around in his den all day, comes 
out at night like a playboy or
a pimp.  And I’ll bet he marks 
his territory too, pees all 
over Gert Beckwith’s peonies and
the Blums’ Egyptian irises. 
Thinks the whole world belongs to him.

I saw him last night at one a.m. 
trotting right down the middle of
the street.  Bastard didn’t even 
break stride.  I swear he smirked at me
with the contempt of a fund manager.
Thanks for the easy pickings, sucker.
A version of this poem first appeared in Modern Literature
©2022 Robert Wexelblatt
Editor's Note: If this poem(s) moves you please consider writing to the author (email address above) to say what it is about the poem you like. Writing to the author is what builds the community at Verse Virtual. It is very important. -JL