WOLF

I’ve been so afraid of the big bad wolf.

For many years he prowled above my keyboard

Teeth bared, with mocking, slitty eyes.

Don’t you dare, he growled lazily,

As my fingers twitched above the keys,

Desperate to play with the many fragmented sentences

Trampolining in my head,

Straining to get a clearer glimpse of the figure on the chestnut horse,

barely visible through the fog of warm wolf breath.

You’re old and all puffed out, the wolf taunted.

And that woman in tears you think you see?

That’s just you, you big silly!

Don’t you know no-one wants your warmed-up porridge?

You know damn well it’s over.

You’ve done it once, and that was that.

I cowered.

I cried.

I tried.

So, I left the keyboard and returned to the source,

To splash around, play in the sun.

I knew this path led back to fun.

The wolf watched me from a distance,

He yawned, closed his slitty eyes.

I thought, maybe he’s moved on…

I crept back to my desk, smiled at him.

Watch me! I laughed, then bounced and bounced.

And just like that, poofff…. he was gone,

Far too haughty to partake in fun.