When this poem popped up in my Memories this morning, I was wrapped up in the details of a closing. I communicated with everyone by email, I recorded the Deed using an online service (www.simplifile.com), sent the documents to the Buyer for signature online (www.docusign.com), and will be creating the title insurance policy online as well. Since it is raining outside, I am grateful to be able to get everything done inside; but, part of me longs for the days when I was a lone wolf, going outside and everywhere, hungry and hunting.
In his dream,
he walked in a wood;
branches in his face,
mud under his feet.
He enjoyed the battle for survival.
He ate berries and leaves,
slept next to the water
and awoke to sunlight
filtering through the trees.
He happily faced the enemies in his night.
Each day he walked a new trail,
choosing bramble bushes
over paths paved in concrete.
He never gave up.
He never surrendered.
He never allowed the she-wolves to devour him.
He was a young wolf,
sauntering through the wood,
looking for prey.
He howled in the night,
scratching and serene.
He was king of the forest.
As he grew older
his pace slowed.
His saunter became a steadier gait;
but, still he pushed
ever forward
looking for the next kill.
He stayed with the pack
never alone
but always apart.
He kept free of entanglements
with the other wolves.
He growled at the enemy,
while the she-wolves circled.
He was unaware of his growing discontent.
The she-wolves grew louder,
insistent
and bloodied him with their fangs
until
looking for peace
he left alone
into the night.
He grew older still,
ate what he killed
slept when he liked
content to be an old king
alone in the peace of the jungle.
Then, one day,
the queen of the she-wolves
approached in a glade.
She smiled at him,
and nuzzled his face with hers.
In an instant,
he surrendered to her charms.
He had grown tired of the chase
and accepted his fate.
He knew that only a queen
could be his match.
But, he wondered whether she would devour him,
or,
after a lifetime of struggle,
she would make him again
into a young wolf
howling at the night
hunting for tomorrow.