Predator Control

Carol J. Rhodes
For one day and one night
she struggles to wrench from its hold,
tearing fur and flesh, breaking teeth.

Exhausted by pain and loss of blood,
desperate to return to her young
she gnaws off the imprisoned foot,
frees herself from the steel jaw trap.

Unable now to hunt for food
mother and her first cougar cubs starve,
their bodies buried under the weight of
winter’s final storm.