Bestiary

I thought myself lion and serpent. Thought myself body enough for two, for we.

Found comfort in never being lonely.

What burst from my back, from my bones, what lived along the ridge from crown to crown, from mane to forked tongue beneath the skin. What clamor

we made in the birthing. What hiss and rumble at the splitting, at the horns and beard,

at the glottal bleat...