A Dream I Had

I

And from the evergreen trees,

walked a herd of white-tailed deer—

two pairs of twelve point antlers

leading

through a field, dead brown, and crisp.

The sky was colorless; sun

shone butter pale, unmelting.

II

Seemingly unseen, I watched,

and the deer continued to

near.

Two by two, they shed their great

horns, and shrugged off liar’s hides—

carrion for the black crows.

So many crows crowing as

the canis lupus rose up.

III

I lay on my soft belly

and wept for my red insides.

I imagined a stabbing

and wondered if a long tooth

would leave the same sensation.

They didn’t begin with my

middle.

Rather, they went for my limbs.

I felt my muscles shred, and

and the running wet red scorched.

IV

Here I lie dying, but I

killed two wolves with my bare hands.

One by one I unhinged their

jaws and ripped out their hot tongues.

Here I lie dying, but I

killed two wolves with my bare hands.

V

I can hear them eating, but

I don’t feel it anymore.