LUDOVICA'S BESTIARY

Here is the bull elk
with his three happy horns
and his dreams of hunters
walking loudly!

                  And the little fox, see,
                  her silver teeth
                  and lovely silken doublet
                  stylishly worn
                  with a belt of mushrooms;
                  I think I'm in love!

Oh yes, and the mink
whose steel-toed feet
double as cudgels
in a pinch-he tends
to overreact, but then
wouldn't you too?

                  My friend the loon
                  enjoys throwing her voice,
                  she throws it so far
                  she loses sight of it
                  and I must wade onto every shore
                  in pursuit, combing the trees
                  with a special straw rake.

Then there are the wolves
with their wild parties
and their hospitality-
when they let loose,
the whole world knows,

                  the forest grows
                  to encompass their songs,
                  and I, the wanderer among
                  the trees, even I wake up after
                  with bats hanging from the roof
                  of my mouth.