Poems by Mark Mansfield

Because He Chose

by Mark Mansfield

Mark lives in the Oswego River/Finger Lakes watershed.

When her kits are born,
the vixen stays in the burrow
for a few days to over a week.
The dog fox . . . brings her food.

He could have swerved.
Both lanes were clear
as he observed
near half a mile
of open road.

And what he hit
was almost home
to feed their kits.
He could have stopped,
or at least slowed.

Saw his black paws
and as he neared,
watched him pause,
then hit the gas
because he chose.