Brother's Trapline

by

Virginia Johnson

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Bitter, biting winds of winter blow,
Swirling drifts, long ribbons of snow,
Tearing at the plodding, parka-clad girl,
Enveloping the lone figure in its swirl.
Approaching an ice-covered slippery slough,
Spying the stake standing in shadows blue,
Hiding amid drifts the wind has carried,
A rusty, steel trap, half buried.
Staring wide-eyed, muskrat squirming, leg caught,
His leg, half chewed, evidence how he fought,
Clawing, gnawing, before her eyes to see
To escape, to seek release, to be free.
The dilemma: a stone to end his life,
Or leave him wounded, to starve, to suffer strife.
The decision to kill, to slay,
Agony will cease. Trudge home through the grey.
Falling tears, shaking hands lift a jagged rock,
Narrowing human eyes, numb, dulled with shock,
Blunt blows reign down on the silky furred skull
Silent screams, sickening heart, no time to mull.
Removing dead rat, no need to smother,
Trudging to meet eager, excited brother.
Slinging carcass over shoulder, face pale
Skinning, stretching, drying, money, the sale.