Muskrat

She walks past the pond, up the road,
toward illuminated shape—sunshine
orbits its body, an auburn luster.

Behind oak, near maple, she cloaks
its remains with autumn’s leavings,
honors its life.

At bedtime, she smooths her grandmother’s
coat, the mink repurposed into coverlet.
Its plushness weeps with needless death.

Animals have covered us long enough.

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Jeannie E. Roberts has authored four poetry collections and two children’s books. She’s an animal lover, a nature enthusiast, light and goodness seeker. She’s also reader and poetry editor of the online literary magazine Halfway Down the Stairs. When she’s not reading, writing, or editing, you can find her drawing and painting, or outdoors photographing her natural surroundings.