Naturae Natura

Naturae Natura / Joshua Alan Sturgill

You have mistaken me
for the fox
Chased me through thickets of pines
You thought I
could make good sport

You have mistaken me
for the firefly
drifting over the evening meadow
You thought I
would be tame to your touch

You have mistaken me
for the cow
Drawn me into your machines
You thought I
should submit to productivity

Mistaking me for stone
unfeeling, unaware
you do not know I am a changeling
— a mother and a cemetery
Ocean, asteroid and fire

You will see me suddenly
a wild boar
I have taken you into my cave
Hooves and tusks
still red with the blood of Adonis