From Coyote Moon Trailer Haven (30 Residents Total) Poem by Robert Matte Jr.

#38 Maria Serrano 55

Retired Trapeze Artist

My daughter's a police officer.
I came out here to live near her
when my husband, Dominic, died
of a heart attack. We were living
in Sarasota, Florida, home for
a lot of circus people, mostly
retired. I was a part of the Flying
Serranos for twenty-five years.
I started at fifteen. We had one
of the great trapeze acts in the
world. My father, my uncle,
my two brothers and me. I was
able to do a triple somersault
by the time I was eighteen. My
brother Andre was the best
catcher I ever had. Our favorite
routine was the Double Cutaway
and a half twist. The Flying
Serranos started with the Cook
Bros. Circus, a one ring tent
show that traveled the Midwest,
the spring and summer circuit.
They had one elephant, two
mangy lions, and a bear. It was
always hot and humid. We had
to use a lot of powder on our
hands. Mr. Rasdale, The guy in
trailer 46, worked there same
time I did. We even did some
shows in Europe. One year I got to
meet the Queen in London during
a royal performance with Zippos
Circus. She seemed a little bored,
to be honest.

For a few years we were with
Ringling Bros. Life was more
settled, but I got tired of
always performing in sterile
arenas. I missed the canvas
and traveling to smaller towns.
When I retired, only me and
Andre were part of the original
act. The newer generation
didn't want to put in the work
to reach the highest level.
Living in Sarasota, you were
surrounded by circus folk,
a reminder, if you will, of the
glory days. Dominic had been
an animal trainer with five
circuses, but after he died,
there was nothing to keep me
in Florida. Now, My daughter,
Elena the police officer, drives
through our park almost every
day during her shift. It keeps
the drug dealers on their toes.
I work at the Salvation Army
thrift store. A way of giving
back. And I have my memories.
It was a really good life, up high,
The Flying Serranos.


#25 Clement Del Rio 80

Retired Ranch Foreman

Spent almost forty years
at Aqua Claro Ranch
just north of the border,
AC Ranch for short. For
many years the life there
was very good. We ran
cattle and horses. The
owner, Mr. Cardell, was
fair, he treated all the
hands with respect and
we worked hard for him.
I was foreman for fifteen
years. Mr. Cardell gave
me much responsibility.
Sometimes he would be
back East for months
but things still ran smooth.

Everything began to change
about thirty years ago. More
and more illegals came over
the border, then began the
drugs and the violence,
bandits, the coyotes,
robbing the border crossers.
People killing and stealing
our cattle, taking our
horses. You always carried
a gun and then slept with
one. Trash everywhere.
Mr. Cardell gave up after
being shot at more than
once. A big corporation
finally bought the land.
It's their problem now.
I can still see the clear
pools of water after a
summer rain. The cloud
formations in that big
sky. The burning smell
when we branded the
cattle. Soon I will be
gone from this earth
but until then I have so
many good memories:
Chico, Miguel - saddle up
the horses!

#34 Lloyd Applegate 58

Appliance Salesman

We're originally from Ohio.
The wife wants to go back
to Akron when I retire. Most
folks want to retire in the
sun belt but no, Betty wants
to live where there is rain
snow and misery much of
the year. And the Zips
the U of Akron football
team. Hapless losers.
Oh well, at least bock beer
will be available. Actually,
the grandkids live back there
so moving is a no brainer.
Still, I'll miss the dry heat
and real Mexican food.

I sell refrigerators, washers
and dryers for Sears. We're
right next to the Craftsman
Tools dept. There's a lot of
crossover traffic. In reality
most of the appliances made
these days are junk. Primarily
plastic parts that wear out in
five years or less. Used to
be a refrigerator lasted
twenty years no problem
at all. Still, you got to
sell what's out there and
Kenmore is not a bad line
if it's not made by certain
manufacturers or in
certain countries. You have
to do your research and I
try to be straight with
people. That's why
I get lots of return
customers. Salesmanship
101.

I've got a freezer full of
bear meat. It took me
years but I finally drew
a tag. Shot it this spring
in the mountains. Betty
won't have anything to
do with it. Won't even
let me hang the head in
the house. I bought a
recipe book for bear meat.
Some strange stuff. Ever
had a bear taco? Nothing
like this in Ohio. That's
for sure.

#03 Terri Wingate 30

Mother of Three

My husband's a miner.
Copper is a big deal round
here. He was driving a haul
truck, they're as big as a house
but they had him on the night
shift so now he works in the
smelter cause it's days and
the pay is better. He smells
like chemicals when he gets
home but at least he's around
for the kids. We got married
in the Love Me Tender
wedding chapel in Vegas.
Our two witnesses were
Elvis impersonators who
sang Blue Suede Shoes after
the ceremony. Our first son
Sammy was born two months
later. I come from a large
family, seven kids, Mom's
body and mind were shot
after so many young uns.
Three is enough for us
and Amy has special needs.

We just got on food stamps
even with Mike working
we are barely above the
poverty line. You do the
best you can with what
you've got. We get
a lot of stuff at the
Goodwill Store. It's
amazing what people
don't want anymore.
Some of it almost brand
new. Mike got me these
earrings for our tenth
wedding anniversary.
They is real pearls. I
feel good wearing them.
Life can be hard but the
right partner sure makes
the day go lots easier.