Two Stags

Art by Chloe Janowski

Soft white curtains in swirling spirals fall
the bull presents
swipes weighted boughs with baronial crown
looks long down carpeted hall

I've interrupted a quiet daydream of a greener Spring to come

tenebrous copper colors fix me queerly
bristling cinnamon mane dusted in a wintry patina
a thick pink tongue to taste morning's tolerable aggression
oh husky horn'd stallion
vaporous breath vanishing in the velvet fall
noble king guarding a threshold of impenetrable pine

lulled by my call to arms
angered by my counterfeit threat
this hairless flesh
come closer
   and let me taste thy fighting spirit.

TA