The animal, crushed and dark, played
in the corner, mouth turning blue. Oh
smile, I thought, saddened to watch
its wide lips web and caulk; I knew
the blue would only molt to a darker
blue. All mouths follow bodies, and
the animal was as black and hunched
as a sheep inside the belly of a wolf.
When it moved toward me, I grew
still; it met my eyes and I made no
effort to turn away. The blue mouth
opened as I sang, and its cool hands
drove over me in love and in play.