Lion

there’s a lion outside that’s

clawing its way in,

& i’m too soft for her.

i think, come inside, i want

everyone to see you.

there’s a lion outside that’s

clawing its way in,

& i give her water

& raw meat,

but the saints & the presidents

& the police

know that

she’s

out there.

there’s a lion outside that’s

clawing its way in,

& i’m too soft for her,

i think,

come in, make me

feel alive,

make me

fearless,

make me

stronger than a million

books stacked on one another

there’s a lion outside that’s

clawing its way in,

& i’m foolish, i don’t let her in,

day or night,

when no one’s around.

i think, i don’t know why you’re here,