With Rakija

Here among hunger
I am hunter hunted

Amid veiled predation violence
Below burning fire-star
I move like snake risk all

Scouted well low and meagre lake
Its reeds mud bank mire
Lie leopard-eyed in wait

I am for gorging
This I speak

Tool-rich friend-poor lone-moving
Exiled by desire
Wild as crocodile

Compelled
Compelled onward onward toward
What in me seeks of you

What does the lion of the lioness
Beyond his consciousness

Your sudden flesh tongue-stripped
Tooth-scarred man-stained

Girl-child
Boy-child


Rakija, ca. 200,000 BCE

© Rhett Talley