The Animal

Growling, rustling, pacing
A small circle beneath its feet
Bared teeth and claws
Ragged, shallow breathing
Inside its furry torso
It tilts back its angry head and
Howls

This animal howls
For those of its kind to answer
Its call
Just to be touched
To feel
To see, hear, and smell
Its kind around it

It rears back, ready to pounce
Hungry for attention
Longing for contact
It will tear through creating
Broken limbs and
Broken hearts

It opens its mouth wide
The toothed gap yawning to be filled
With flesh and meat
To feel full
Sustained and satisfied before
Howling once more
Before bedding down
For the night