we are animals, you and I
remember how you used to
sleep on the ground?
one eye open
ever restful, wakeful
although sleep is common
to us all
so is the wariness
preservation comes first –
or else, Death
with the leaden hand
(that is us)
or the monstrous foot
(of aligned forces)
sniffing each other’s politics
we circle
making up our minds
that it may be O.K., may mesh
