an animal inside

there is an animal inside me

and that animal is a rat

gnawing and biting

the heart and the soul

creeping in and crawling out

the spaces left

and i am less than before.

there is an animal inside me

and that animal is an ox

moaning and groaning

the lips and the tongue

stumbling up and bumbling down

the spaces left

and i am less than before.

there is an animal inside me

and that animal is a tiger

ripping and tearing

the meat and the bones

stalking to and lurking fro

the spaces left

and i am less than before.

there is an animal inside me

and that animal is a rabbit

trembling and shivering

the fingers and the toes

scurrying back and scampering forth

the spaces left

and i am less than before.

there is an animal inside me

and that animal is a dragon

burning and searing

the thought and the mind

twisting up and turning over

the spaces left

and i am less than before.

there is an animal inside me

and that animal is a snake

slithering and sliding

the sight and the sound

coiling around and curving under

the spaces left

and i am less than before.

there is an animal inside me

and that animal is a horse

stamping and demanding

the fists and the feet

jumping over and bursting through

the spaces left

and i am less than before.

there is an animal inside me

and that animal is a sheep

calming and cowering

the spirit and the spine

standing behind and ducking down

the spaces left

and i am less than before.

there is an animal inside me

and that animal is an ape

screeching and screaming

the mouth and the jaw

jumping up and jerking down

the spaces left

and i am less than before.

there is an animal inside me

and that animal is a rooster

prancing and preening

the cock and the balls

calling out and crowing in

the spaces left

and i am less than before.

there is an animal inside me

and that animal is a dog

sensing and sampling

the taste and the smell

worrying to and hurrying from

the spaces left

and i am less than before.

there is an animal inside me

and that animal is a bear

growling and groping

the arms and legs

crashing through and smashing up

the spaces left

and i am less than before.

12/31/08 jeg.