-Part 1-

The night, thought the bear
Is too still for its own good.
I think I will cause
A
Noise

So, Richard Joseph, the bear with eight arms
Ambled off into the inky darkness
Roaring with each exaggerated step

-Part 2-

The coyote, wasted and dull
Curled into a tight ball
And soaked in the last heat of the day.
It did little to ease the hunger
Or the aches.

Scars, residing under his ancient fur
Told stories of Indian children's creative torture
Hot spears, sharp stones

He whimpers, once. Pitiful and quiet.
Former glory lost, of course.
He's like any other creature near death.
Uncompromising, and just trying to stay alive.

Captain Kirk, the dying coyote
Tries, fitfully, to lose himself in sleep.

-part 3-

Richard Joseph, with all his noise
Captain Kirk, his belly full of ruin

One might think them completely unrelated.
One might be wrong.

These two creatures, misfits both
Share the cool, still Nevada night.

The first, victim of genetic twisting. Paws full of sand.
The last, victim of old age and tumors. Muzzle striped with white.

Eye contact.
A flash of mutual understanding.

-Part 4-

Eight arms waving wildly, Richard Joseph bristles with Joy
A friend! He thinks. From far away.
Five steps closer, and his little bear mind starts to wonder
Is coyote sick?
The stars nod assent. And Richard Joseph wants to cry.

-Part 5-

One ear lazily swivels.
There, said Captain Kirk, is something coming for me.
Death, perhaps?
He could only wish.
I, he decided, will take what comes. Without moving.
Without complaining.
And then he felt a paw on his spine.

-Part 6-

Tenderly, Richard Joseph cradles the dying bag of fur and bones
And whispers an old ursine lullaby
That his mother used to know.
Warm tears fall onto Captain Kirk's silver coat.
Coy-dog, thinks the bear. Feel no pain.

The little life that Captain Kirk had left
Goes on holiday.
Richard Joseph gently places his burden upon the ground
And makes A Noise.

-Part 7-

The Nevada night starts to fade
Though now the stillness is welcomed
As a funeral shroud, a security blanket.
Richard Joseph and Captain Kirk part ways.

The stars part ways from the black velvet sky.
And no Noise is needed.

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