Coyote Visits A Fort (Native American) Poem by Chuck Toll

Coyote and Dog watched the fort from the hill.
“I have everything I need in my new home, ”
Dog said. “Come, I will show you what to do.”
They walked past the guard at the stockade gate.

The fort was dusty and full of human noise.
They had to be alert for hooves and boots.
Dog drank from a muddy puddle, then showed
The stables where he slept. A boy threw a rock.

Coming to the kitchen, Dog wagged his tail.
He gazed up hopefully at a man cutting meat.
He whimpered and rubbed against the man’s leg.
The man gave Dog a scrap and shooed him away.

Coyote watched more, then grabbed a slab of bacon,
Left by a hole in the fence, and returned to his family.