“what wolf cubs need” by Casey June Wolf (poem)

what wolf cubs need

brown and curled and wet with mother's dew

each cub slides into this world

cleaned   tongued   nuzzled

until the mewling starts

until the new wolf waves her helpless nailed paws

into the air

against her mother's cheek

until the sealed eyes and questing mouth

find their way to her white-filled source

every cub needs her mother

her brothers and sisters, too

to lean against in slumber

tumble over

tweak in play

to run with

growling

growing smart   gleeful   strong

each cub needs her father

warm against the night

gambolling when mother's gone to hunt

stretched out calm and watchful

running quick and eager

barking against those who'd pull her down

those cubs who have them are the lucky ones

cubs with "aunts" and "uncles"

who wrestle long with them

who sleep with   eat with

bring treats to them

you are my uncle wolf

caring when you need not care

bringing me the long red leg of a fallen deer

to chew   and fight   and chew

you are my brother wolf

wrestling   playing

barely conscious of the cougar on the hill

you are my comrade wolf

and i walk with you contented

safe as i can be

on this long expanse

of snow

Copyright: Casey June Wolf. 3 June 1993.

Image: Timber Wolf Cub - Colchester Zoo, Colchester, Essex, England - Saturday July 21st 2008. By Keven Law. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Genericlicense.