Wolfie And The Conundrum/The Good Wolf

(After Aesop)


Be careful when one wolf is warning you about another wolf
behind the bush in the picture book story
and the warning wolf has a halo in the picture book


so that it is a reformed wolf or not a wolf at all,


oh! you say to yourself
(having been taught well at school):
an evolved species!!


a tame one and now you're besties.
besties with the beastie.and can lead him around
on a leash of rose petals, yes you can.


while he offers his paw, shyly to strangers.
and you eat custard together in the wintertime
at some little cafe and strawberries (turn the page)


and are convinced by the splashing tears at the corners of his tear ducts
and the water stains they make on his refined suede and


blood red vest and he
is softly bleating, putting your fears to rest
and as soothing as your mother, at her best on the days


she made apple pies
and so concerned about you or I that you will be safe


from the bush wolf who is really, by comparison,
only a cartoon.
remember, although childish logic may tell you earnestly


that the warning wolf is your rescuer and that the proof
of that is how kind he is to warn you about the other one
malingering...


that:


it is possible for one wolf who is even more ravenous
to solicitously and with his fur combed quite down
and extensive dental work having been done on his fangs


to whisper sentimentally to you and with blue blue violets
with fresh honey from the hive
about the dastardly one who is so dangerous and then


eat you alive
before he swallows down and picking delicately at the bones
the bushie wolf too.


mary angela douglas 30 may 2020