from: The Pig’s Wife at Forty
I let the wolf in while my husband was out making
our fortune. He chased me for a while, I could tell
by his mournful gold eyes it was inevitable what
would happen next. If I wanted a romp, he would
be the one—his sleek silver body, his skillful mouth.
But I am older, wiser to the ways of wolves.
I have read enough fairy tales to know, not all
end happily despite their promises. We got
dirty like he predicted. I luxuriated in a filthy froth.
But, in the end, he wanted to turn me into a silk
purse. He wanted to gobble me up. Turn me into
bacon. Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin.
I let the wolf in while my husband was out making
our fortune. He chased me for a while, I could tell
by his mournful gold eyes it was inevitable what
would happen next. If I wanted a romp, he would
be the one—his sleek silver body, his skillful mouth.
But I am older, wiser to the ways of wolves.
I have read enough fairy tales to know, not all
end happily despite their promises. We got
dirty like he predicted. I luxuriated in a filthy froth.
But, in the end, he wanted to turn me into a silk
purse. He wanted to gobble me up. Turn me into
bacon. Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin.
Author Bio:
Laurie Byro has been facilitating "Circle of Voices" poetry discussion in New Jersey Libraries for over twenty years. Her work has been published widely in University Presses and she has been included in several anthologies. Laurie has won fifty-five InterBoard Poetry Community awards. Laurie has recently received two New Jersey Poet's Prizes and a Poet's and Writer's Grant. Laurie is currently Poet in Residence at the West Milford Township Library where "Circle of Voices" continues to meet. She is married to the artist Michael Byro who has graced the covers of her books.
