loose threads

in the terrifying dark amidst
          all of the sounds and smells
that send her pulse
    racing
 nostrils flaring out
a rumble and then light
                 air sweet and thick with familiar
            scents like
 fresh wet earth
     sandalwood cedar
      she bolts rage
and fear driving
as she attacksattacksattacks
            then realization as
the world unfolds around her
         f r e e d o m
 beneath hooves drumming agai
nst red dirt
     her body remembers being young
while the stench of the people
 fades from 
her
      nostrils
the lion emerges
           he comes with the thought
how easy to catch this one
           all by herself
he barrels rolls off her wide shoulders
         and she doesn’t stop moving
forward
      because now it’s a game
i dare you try again and
of course he does
       as she moves head first
into the shrub
  this little gnat this little
                 annoyance 
disappears into the thicket while
    she wheels in a half turn
her captive rage holding the reins but
           the lion knows when
he’s had enough
    and stays down
unlike his primate counterparts
     he knows when
he’s been de
                       feated 

Amy Kay provided a format and a reel provided the inspiration. If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, the reel will be in my stories for the next day or so!