I close my eyes
and wait for the torture to end
short of breath,
I’m still alive.
How long did I hold it for?
A minute, a year.
Another raw meat meal.

You can stew
the fire along
at night
but I’m fine, really
I’m fine with
my blanket
around my head
smelling my meat breath

There’s room enough
in the bed for me

ladies

there is no need
to fight for me

ladies

there’s room enough
in bed for me

ladies

but please,
let me lift the sheets

ladies

the M is for moe-dacious
the E is for eating
the A is for appetite
the T is for treating

breakoutthemeatstick
break out
the
meat

the sounds inside
with the lightning close
a crack
my blanket too far
the bathroom rug
a comfort
from the sounds
i shake
not from fear
but because
i feel the tremble
of the trees
in the rain

heat
they say the body
only takes so much
the moisture
on my lips
part sweat
part meat
heat
what’s to say
but the phantom
of my junk
hangs
in a puddle
on the floor
next to the meat bowl

i fall sometimes
into the vacant space
that place in the bed
where we lay
at night
before boy
takes me away
before boy
feeds me meat

your eternal spirit
moves swift
like ridges
on the hunt

to prowl around
one last time
on your porch
where you taught me

to romp
track flies
and scare children
into thinking

i was as mean
as my looks
and not just
a puppy inside

Dedicated to my grandma, Kinley, whose spirit ascended from this rock over the rainbow bridge. I’ll be seeing you again and again….Satch

My bowl is packed
with raw meat goodness
Thankfully
I ended up
in this home

The blood you see
on the toothbrush
isn’t mine
but whoa, let me lick that off
for you

Wait, she says
at the door
at the car
a hand in my face
at the face of my meat bowl
Wait before
OK – go

what is this
tripe blanket
sworn so not to say
i’m hungrybut still
the bowl
in the sink
coated
with what was missed
when my tongue
donned its dinner dress
alas
i rub my face
in the blanket
to savethe savor
of food
and know
later
when the treats
are away
another meal
awaits