Tendance orageuse le soir

The snow has ceased. And the air has filled itself with itself.

"Trap," says the wolf, "why am I trapped?"

"Trap," says the wolf, "why won't you let me go?"

The field stretches between the mountains and the downs.

"I love to run across the snow," says the wolf. "I gaze upon the path I've left behind me and rejoice."

The tall grass bends patiently.

"I love the snow too," says the trap.

"And the winter. Everything tastes better when you are hungry."

"Yes," says the trap. "I love the winter too."

"Trap, should I despise myself for not chewing off my own paw?"

"You are too busy talking to me."

"I could uproot you and carry you with me."

"You wouldn't last long."

"Trap, maybe I'm not really a wolf. I could be a bear. Why wasn't I sleeping."

"I sang to you through my teeth. It was easy. I have no tongue. I knew your dream. I was surprised I was surprised."

"Ok. I lied. I'm not really a bear. I'm a dexterous child. I could examine you and take you apart. I've made a thousand paper cranes out of gum wrappers. I am hungry."

"Wish your wish."

"I will wait for the trapper and ask him to let me go."

"He's not coming back."

"What if I were a fox? Small and swift and silent. My pelt would be so red. I could pull myself free."

"If you shrink, I will tighten."

"I'll be a rabbit. Yes, I was digging through the snow to reach the grass. There. I have abased myself. Relent."

"Silly rabbit, all you have to do is cut off your own paw. Another will grow in its place, spotless and clear as glass."*

* * *

"Trap," says something formless, "they didn't grow back. But my teeth are sharpening themselves within my mouth."

"Quick," says the trap. "Take them back. Soon you will be unable to speak without cutting your own tongue."

"Don't be afraid trap. I am just examining you. I am turning you over in my hands. Feel how small they are."

"Trap. Trap. Trap? Is that my blood.?"

*Something by Kafka (like, "a little fairy-tale"), The Dirty Hand by Mark Strand, and, of course, Trix are for Kids.

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Sorry for the rough draft. Haven't had the urge to write for a long long while, and thought I would just go with it.