Uncurl

hey porcupine
untense your abdomen
ready to curl
hey armadillo
you're all right
uncurl

uncurl,
show us your eyes
shrunk points of light
your rictus scream I hear
what is it you fear?

I squat
bemused, I put out my finger
stroke a pine
tap that armor
make slow sounds
murmurs, and whisper
uncurl, uncurl

tiny fists clenched
eyes shut tight
shut out the world
out of my sight
out of mind?
I'll curl at the slightest sound
the slight breeze raises my hackles
my talons are out
beware, and besides
what do you care?!

A merry twinkle
a shy smile
i too wonder why
but my heart is open
my eyes look beyond
I got sympathy for the devil
I'll teach you how to scream
And no, thats not obscene

A whiff, a smell
my world is colors
my sight quite dull
I wish for summer
I don't ask much
A lovely flower
A day after tomorrow
Black fills my day
My stars are gone
A breach runs through me
leave me be
I'll freeze and be still
no, I won't uncurl.