Poem by veronica aldous- 10 seconds of an animal

10 seconds of an animal.

10 seconds of an animal
is fast
is shivering, is black cream
poured
upon the the embers
of a hearth
its surface rapt, controlled
the pump beneath
well tracked with coursing blood
its mind remote-
an amazonian
source.

a witch's tail
a witch's heart
off centre-
ah, violent, ah
its surface suave
skinful of force
they chain it to a circus car
it grinds its teeth
the ringing screech
potentiates
a wiry thrill on metal bars,
lie down, lie down-
ichor
god help me
ah
I see its face
in yours.

I want its low slung danger
the way it knows no anger
is concentrated
arching, fluid
takes its prey
as lover
ah.

Veronica Aldous
Published Orbis 2006