i dream of bears

What if I told you, last night, I fought off a bear?

You had just been pulled

from the lake. You still had algae in your

hair

And then we were sprinting

Through the field, willing the house closer with sweat

And tears. I was holding you as best I could, but

I could hear it behind you. I threw you

Forward, to your brother, and turned

Around. I put my arm out, hoping

That would be the first thing

The gnashing jaws would latch onto. The pain

Was distant- compared to

My worry for you.

Fingers without nails,

Teeth through bone,

Kidneys on claws.

What if I told you, last night, I fought off a bear for you?

Maybe

it was sated with me, blood dripping

From its mouth. It turned

Around, and I crawled

My way

To the house.

I hope I don’t scare you when

You know me like this.

I wonder

if

you’re too

young

to see this kind

of love, the

force of it.

Your mom will be home soon,

so I think I’ll stop crawling

for now.

Let her

find me

and know

what my love

did

for you.

Please, keep

The curtains

Closed.