Grey Menace

Grey menace, they would call him, spit and curse,
and hunt him with their shotguns and their traps.
Spin fairy tales in chilling nighttime verse
while cradling their children in their laps.
They'd sing of hairs on end and yellow eyes,
of spines that froze when paralyzed by fear,
the pelt up on the wall, a treasured prize,
attempting for another one this year.
At times the old one joined them in this song,
assembling the members of his brood.
An ancient alpha's potent singalong,
a howl, just to remind them where he stood.
And then he'd disappear into the fog.
Can't pardon or forgive them for the dog.