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.

When I Was an Animal

When I was an animal
I tasted the animal tastes
such as blood, feces and urine
and savored each in turn
my tongue delicate and wise
without disgust or revulsion.

When I was an animal
I smelled the animal scents
such as fear, anger and despair
and they prompted my responses
my nose leading my mind
without thought or reason.

When I was an animal
I saw the animal sights
such as teeth, claws and snouts
and was quick to react and attack
my eyes weak and dim
without color or discernment.

When I was an animal
I felt the animal feelings
such as hunger, pain and cold
and each lesson learned lessened
my sensitivity ground down
without empathy or love.

When I was an animal
I heard the animal sounds
such as groans, grunts and howls
and the cacophony outside
my ears heard as a symphony
without rhythm or time.

When I was an animal
I thought the animal thoughts
such as then, now and when
and they built a senseless fury
my mind tied to my senses
without past or future.

Now I am not an animal,
isn't that nice?

jeg. '06