by Rochelle Ratner
But it’s a big country. A lot of people shoot (or shoot up) here. He needs more target practice, that’s all. Maybe on the ranch, maybe in the desert, the dry air carrying bullets further. Hard to get his footing on the Badlands terrain, though. Mostly he just shoots. He hears the coyotes at night. He hears dogs barking. He dreams of Big Foot. Used to be people believed in him.
Rochelle Ratner's latest poetry books include Leads (Otoliths Press, 2007), Balancing Acts (Marsh Hawk Press, 2006), Beggars at the Wall (Ikon, 2006) and House and Home (Marsh Hawk Press, 2003). She is the author of fifteen previous poetry collections and two novels (Bobby’s Girl and The Lion’s Share) both published by Coffee House Press). More information and links to her writing on the Internet can be found on her homepage.
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