Chase Me Round and Round

I slip through the tall grass grinning

Amber-eyed and listening

Every wall you’re building

Already thinning

I let you think you found me

Flash of red, then I’m free

You move closer carefully

Like this was your idea

---

I pa-pa-paw at the lock in your ribs

Gentle little criminal counting your slips

Teeth just grazing your skin

I like how you lean in

---

I li-li-light the fur on your spine

Foxfire dancing behind your eyes

Close enough just to bite — bite — bite

Then I vanish for spite

Tail flick, quick silver grin

I let you almost reel me in

You should run — but you might — might — might

Follow me deeper tonight

---

Heavy steps in the snow

Low breath steady and slow

Golden gaze below

You don’t let go

You track where I weave and bend

Patient as winter wind

You know how this will end

Still you don’t pretend

---

Run, little —

ru-ru-run if you must

Wolf in the —

wood in the —

silver dusk

Close, closer —

clo-clo-closer still

No sharp thrill

Teeth to teeth —

teth-teth-tempered and slow

We both know

---

I li-li-light the fur on your spine

You match your step with mine

No need to bite — bite — bite

We fall into line

Tail flick, moonlit eyes

Shadow pacing my stride

Two hunters bright — bright — bright

Side by side in the pines

---

Not prey

Not chase

Just

pace

Pa– pa–

pace

Step / step /

step / step /

Fur / fang /

fu– fa–

fang

Tail flick / teeth /

ta– te–

Mine —

mi– mi–

…mine

Fox / wolf /

fo– wo–

mate