Ritual
May 2016
"i love you," said Wolf to Rabbit
he was smiling full in her face,
not knowing it meant so many teeth,
not knowing joy can be frightening.
"i love you," said Rabbit to Wolf
but so quietly it didn’t escape,
went out as a shadow whisper,
Rabbit not yet ready to be brave.
they curled clockwise on the couch
as Wolf brushed out Rabbit’s hair
gentle as a cherry blossom breeze.
Rabbit boxed Wolf’s shoulder hard
and threw Wolf on the wooden floor,
a warning of her tender strength.
when they kissed,
both used teeth.
Wolf grabbed the nape of Rabbit’s neck
as they went walking close in the dark.
as Wolf got Rabbit lost,
he learned her language
until they found each other
inside of invented words.
the full moon made a crown for Rabbit,
and Wolf bowed his head as he offered to dance.
when they slept,
their noses touched.
in the morning, Rabbit punched
Wolf with a pillow, and jumped
straight into the air.
Wolf woke wide eyed and jumped
on the bed, bouncing too,
blaming gravity
for the falling.
"i love you," said Rabbit to Wolf
she was smiling full in her face
knowing that joy can be daunting,
but that she was born to be brave.
"i love you," said Wolf to Rabbit
so loud the sounds darted escape
and went to decorate the sun
but Wolf was not ready to leave.