Dark as Night

06

The smell of fresh meat filled the cool air,

Wolves surrounded the carcass like bees around a hive,

The dead elk laid in snow with a blank stare,

Though the scene was gruesome, the pack needs the meat to survive.

 

The gray female with her head held high,

Shook off a leg and ran through Lamar Valley.

Her pace was quick, easy and spry,

She was bringing the food to fill her pups' bellies.

 

They ran at her, tails wagging in a frenzy.

They licked her face and rolled on their back,

Their mother licked them and nuzzled them gently.

Each of them attacked the leg and enjoyed their snack.

 

Back and forth this mother wolf ran,

Bringing back meat to the pups in their den.

She laid down exhausted and tried to relax,

But her puppies playfully climbed on her back.  

 

Mother wolf grabbed each one by the scruff,

and put them down gently in the snow.

There they continued their play that was rough,

She watched her pups as they continued to grow.

 

Months later her pups were almost grown,

They learned to hunt like the rest of the pack.

Soon they'd be ready for a litter of their own,

Once they had left, they couldn't come back.

While out on a hunt, father was shot.

The pup's mother wolf howled and mourned.

Mother and the rest of the pack were full of distraught,

Though they knew that father could never return.

 

For weeks, mother wolf searched high and low,

And looked for any sign of where father did go.

A rustle in the bushes made the wolf freeze,

The scent of a human hung in the breeze.

 

This, the wolf did not realize

She was no longer safe outside of her home.  

As she saw the man, fear struck her gold eyes,

Though no one could help her - she was alone.

 

A shot rang out, the bullet flew fast,

Droplets like red agate streaked down her gray coat,

Mother fell down as her life flashed past.

She drew one last breath in through her throat.

 

Hunter walked up, gun still in hand,

He smiled at the sight of wolf on the ground.

He picked up the wolf and there he did stand,

Took a picture to spread all around.

 

06, the wolf loved by all,

Unfortunately enough was destined to fall.

Because of a hunter, who is now very proud,

Ignoring the shouts of wolf lovers all around.

 

Many wolves have shared this unfortunate fate,

Because hatred is strong and fear is too.

This has to be stopped before it's too late,

And the only wolves will exist in a zoo.

 

So raise up your voice for those who can't speak,

And join with the others trying to save wolves' lives.

Together, our voices are loud and not weak,

Use your words before another wolf dies.