(no) fur

by Jake Tringali

(no) fur

“Crack” behind tree
Please give me
Ground to run
Paw wet, wounded
Exhausted

Stalker closes in
Veer downhill
Now wounded
Gain speed
Through the ravine

Close to rivers
Lower antlers
Sanctuary
Speed burst
Now thirst

Hot pain, wet fur
Cry out in anger
Now hurt
Far away rivers
Lower antlers

Ground moving slower
Day becomes darker
Now stop
Noise betrays men
Twigs broken