Wilderness

It is good

that you prefer 

forest creatures to men

because I am not 

always domesticated

and I’d rather you were not 

filled with disappointment 

when I forget how

I’m supposed to behave.

I’m sorry

I’m sorry, my dear 

that I can’t always be 

in the same room

with other people

but I run out of defenses

against their storm-tossed

waves of emotion 

and I have to retreat 

into the nook of the tree

or to the edge of the river

where the earth descends. 

Also

there is a question of trust

not every human is gentle

and kind 

or safe to approach 

so I will keep my wildness 

and my lines of retreat

open.