Terry Tempest Williams

 
Wolf
Wolf eyes
Wolf wise
 
From the edges of wildness they watch us—
 
We want them dead.
 
We do not recognize them for who they are—
 
We see them as ourselves—
blood-thirsty and ruthless
hiding in the creases of cruelty.
 
No wonder the wolves howl—
 
Wolf
Wolf eyes
Wolf wise
 
Here is our folly as humans: Kill the wolf
and he-she remains, haunting our hearts
forever, familial, fierce, and hungry—
 
From the edges of wildness they stalk us—
 
We want them dead.
 
Wolf
Wolf eyes
Wolf wise
 
We are afraid of our own shadow.