Coyote Crossing

Everything you want is on the other side of that line.

A coyote has come loose from the woods near our house. Her back is dead-grass brown with small grey stipes, but her belly is wheat blonde and luminous. She runs and runs, not fast, but heavy, as if stopping would stop the world. Her head turns to look me over, a quick flash, then back to business. I tried with all my might in that hot second but I could…