Coyote...

after one or two I get used to the room
we go slow when we first make our moves
by five or six bring you out to the car
number nine with my head on the bar

spotted across the room
caught within the crosshairs
a beautiful doe,
long lean lines crossing sinewy thighs

I've got desperate desires and unadmirable plans
my tongue will taste of gin and malicious intent

circle once, twice
the third time caught in her eye
move slowly, deliberately
the moment of truth:
stand still until she has lost interest,
or fire off a shot, a smile
go in for the kill...

a sober, straight face gets you out of your clothes

moving faster now, racing against a small window of time
the daylight breaking behind the drawn shades

I almost feel sorry for what I'm going to do
and your hair smells of smoke

the shot has been fired
racing after the catch,
seeing what you have conquered

you can sin or spend the night all alone...

awake
did you shoot the bullet or get shot with the bullet?
eyes prying open
shocked to see
it was a coyote you’ve slain
and not a beautiful doe
try to leave without making a sound
so no one else will know
but you have roused her
and she has tightened her grip
on your body

now you are the prey, and she the hunter...

I will lie awake
lie for fun and fake the way I hold you
make you fall for every empty word I say