Poems Written by Latanya Sweeney

Sylvia Coyote

Sylvia Coyote,
she was a big camper.
She loved the woods,
after the rain.

Then, along came a wolf
that stayed too long.
He would not leave,
when asked to go.

Sylvia Coyote,
she was a big camper.
She loved the woods,
after the rain.

The wolf got drunk,
and hurt the Coyote.
He harmed the way
she viewed herself.

Sylvia Coyote,
she was a big camper.
She loved the woods
after the rain.

She got her gun
and took straight aim.
She shot the wolf
until he was dead.

Sylvia Coyote,
she was a big camper.
She loved the woods
after the rain.

The sheriff came
along with his pack.
They saw the wolf,
and it was dead.

Sylvia Coyote,
she was a big camper.
She loved the woods
after the rain.

The sheriff saw the Coyote,
holding the gun.
He seized the weapon
from the arms of the Coyote.

Sylvia Coyote,
she was a big camper.
She loved the woods
after the rain.

Off they went,
the Coyote to jail,
even after they heard
what their eyes had seen.

Sylvia Coyote,
she was a big camper.
She loved the woods
after the rain.

The sheriff knew the wolf
attacked the Coyote,
but for that alone
a Coyote could NOT kill a wolf.

Sylvia Coyote,
she was a big camper.
She loved the woods
after the rain.

Yes, the wolf went to far,
but he had needs,
he was drunk,
and alone with a she Coyote.

Sylvia Coyote,
she was a big camper.
She loved the woods,
after the rain.

There was a trial.
A jury of twelve,
each one
a she coyote.

Sylvia Coyote,
she was a big camper.
She loved the woods,
after the rain.

The jury found the Coyote
NOT guilty,
innocent of all charges.
The coyote was free to go.

Sylvia Coyote,
she was a big camper.
She loved the woods
after the rain.

But now, the coyote camps NO more.
Afraid of meeting another he wolf,
that might have needs,
get drunk, and go to far.

Sylvia Coyote,
she was a big camper.
She loved the woods
after the rain.