Books by Lyle:

tusk



The boar raised its head and stared in their direction as if it had seen them for the first time. It swayed from side to side and staggered like a drunk. Then it began to zigzag toward the quad.
    “Hurry.” Amanda scrambled onto the back seat just as the boar began to trot. No mistake, it was coming for them.
    Frantically Jordan twisted the ignition key. As the boar came closer, Amanda saw that it drooled. Long ropes of saliva hung from its mouth and trailed to the ground. She could hear the animal's breathing, heavy and ragged.
    The quad starter ground away, but the engine didn’t start. “Come on,” Jordan pleaded.
    The boar broke into a run as it lowered its head and charged.




Crusher was flat on his face, with his arms stretched out in front of him.  Laura reached out for Crusher's armpit.  It was covered with black, curly hairs and looked sweaty and smelly.  Laura wrinkled her nose and wiggled her fingers in his armpit.  

   "Hunh?" Crusher's eyes rolled around behind his mask.  "What are you doing?  Stop that!"

 
   "The strong current pulled him back. He went down once, then came up again, diving desperately for the branch."
 
 
 
 
   His coat burst into flames. He jumped to his feet and screamed, "I'm burning!"
 
 
 
   "Being stuck on a farm for two weeks with cousins she barely knew wasn't exactly Kim's idea of a great summer vacation. But rumors of a dangerous band of falcon smugglers in the neighborhood sounded intriguing."
 
 
 

One autumn magpie
leaned blue-black down slender twig
up to winter white