Wolf and the Girl
by Alexis Vergalla
1.She
with the red always
covering her shinebright hair,
a penchant for flowers; whimsy.
So easy to tell
here, do this. and this.
There are baskets to fill
with kind things. Soft swell
of bread. Sweet cream
in a pot, covered over.
2.
He
leaves heavy footprints,
claw pricks in dirt.
So easily mistaken for care;
hot breath where
then I'll follow
path of pins
he is swift and she
3.
collects flowers in armfuls,
takes path of needles.
He has pulled the latch before
swallowed whole what stood there.
He is swollen-full
still hungry.
My what big
eyes
you know this answer.
My what big
arms
the same, always.
My what
teeth.
4.
Sometimes, he is split
from navel to throat.
Sometimes, stones are
laid into the bare space --
he is stitched and drown.
Most often, he has eaten,
leaves satiated.
Alexis Vergalla
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