Most guileless
of all creatures
chrome-eyed
slither-backed
sword tongued,
tasting everything
even the air—

Teach me
how to have such
singularity of purpose
queenly poised
awaiting consummation

What mystery in the eyes
that turn without guilt at blood shed
the head that strikes with calm precision

We slaughter from a distance
and eat in ignorance
our movements clinical
like musical instruments
someone else plays.

Torso immobile,
stiff limbed, dangling
we dance heavy footed
graceless
yearning to embrace
the way you twist
through a sea of grass,
shedding
our vulnerability
our fear.