for Halloween

Vintage Colorado Poetry Poem of the Week October 25-31, 2004

Carol Lawrence Dier was a charter member of the Poetry Society of Colorado.

Discretion Wind worries the cabin as a dog his bone, fierce wind that coaxes blue flames higher into the chimney's mouth; pine trees lean against the roof and moan. Furtive scratching at my door, green eyes at cautious crack, a black paw gently urges wide enough; back arching, he watches me persuasively, and kneads the sparse old rug. "Well, why have you come--- and in this storm of wind?" Green eyes glow unblinking--- "Why ma'am---the coyotes---" He pauses, paw suspended, listening. O yes, I understand, coyotes, gathering on the mountain, laughing! Coyotes---out to kill. "Yes, ma'am!" No need of further explanation. Blue flames leap high, lake water sobs against the rocks, pine trees moan and coyotes howl; far better for a wise black cat to sleep before the fire and dream of mice and hay mows.             --Carol Lawrence Dier

Reprinted from The Luring Flute by Carol Lawrence Dier.  Philadelphia, Dorrance, 1937.  Copyright (c) 1937.  Fair usage.  Vintage Colorado Poetry would welcome hearing from the author's family.

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