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poetry: a different story

somewhere there’s a baby
guarded by a half-wolf 
named delilah. a fearless 
baby that’s protected. nobody

hurts her. nobody slaps
her soft freckled cheeks
or pinches her butt
on the playground. she

doesn’t fall for his 
hollow blue eyes. she 
becomes a woman who 
can howl. a woman

who growls from her 
belly and snarls. nobody
makes her body their 
own. she doesn’t run 

after dark shadows hoping 
they become light. she
doesn’t bend herself into
shapes to fit boxes

made for trapping. she
finds the moonlight behind 
her own eyes. she 
runs with packs of

stars and knows that
somewhere she’s a half-wolf 
guarding a cradle. she
becomes the protector.

There was a real Delilah but my parents had to get rid of her because she protected me too well. I wish I remembered her.

36 thoughts on “poetry: a different story”

  6. Well now is later, and I am back.

    My former cat loved to roll around in my worn scented shirts on the closet floor, finding the scent of me irresistible. That’s kind of how I feel about this poem. Beginning with that evocative image, so many stories just within itself, then that first line, “somewhere there’s a baby”, yes, please, tell me more. And you do. All the myriad things she doesn’t do or don’t happen – but we know the other side of that veil – you do and they do. How can you be so much in two places at the same time? But you do that too. I can’t read that without my heart beating deeper than before. And I like the teeth, no, I love the teeth.
    “She runs with packs of stars… “ You do, you do.

    I am honored to be your friend.

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    • You are so incredibly kind and generous with this comment. This poem is so personal and hints at so many things that have happened in my life and you’ve zeroed in on that feeling and comforted me with your words. I’m honored to be your friend too. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

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  8. Amazing portrayal amazing words written you. Beautiful shadow picture.
    “after dark shadows hoping
    they become light. she
    doesn’t bend herself into
    shapes to fit boxes”

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