i live my life
in constant fear
not of loss
i accept that
as readily
as the morning dew
or the summer’s twilight blue
but of death
this I fear
more than anything
that in sleep
when my guard is
down
the panthers
hyenas
devils
that encircle
my corpse
carrion cry
lions die
I meet my end
and I ask
dear
when I was trapped
prey to predation
where were you
my salvation
or my damnation
when all was hate
the hour was late
my life was short
and flown like dove
where were you
my love
my doe
my long-gone
oh
my heart is gone
your teeth are red
I should have known
a weeping angel
I fed
and in your eyes
I saw the light
but to the farm
I was sent
and took my life
you spent my time
but time is up
I need it back
for I’m in hell
please dear
come back
Edmund Wilson 