[audioplayer file=”https://admin.rattle.com/audio/FrelighWild.mp3″]
after Mary Oliver by way of Kim Addonizio
You do not have to be bad.
You do not have to get down on your knees
in a gas station bathroom for a guy
whose name you’ve already forgotten.
You only have to tell him
a dirty joke in which you’re
the punchline. Tell me
about your sex toys
and I’ll show you mine.
Meanwhile the sun sets.
Meanwhile feral cats slink
from shadow to shadow
howling at your need.
Meanwhile, you grow paws,
claws, a tail. Wherever
you are, a coyote is watching
and waiting over and over
for you to lie down.