In the rushes, gildy-green, i find a nest: toppled, looted, broke, and follow bent reeds and dry-throated riverbed until i see fine wolfish creature, white needle-toothed and shy. i hold out my hand, steady, open, soft. And patient, too. Sun sinks and rises again the day grows blood blood red then gold then blessed blue before he comes to caress my salt-licked hand with sweet and snuffling tongue.
And so, now, paired again, mine dog and i we hunt, leave our excess at the precipice of my father’s door, sleep warmer now, closed-i pressed to wolfish throat. Sisters watch from the window, sour-faced and scowled-lip jealous. Of what? i ask myself even as i, laughing, dig my feeble fingers into scruff. This is a friend, but cold comfort, still. At night, the stars leak into sky and out as doggy breath sighs and snores i remember when all was dark and i was less than one half of me, less than one half We.
