Canine

the black wires of the north
hook, curl, pull our march
through biting flies
and darkened skies

a song so sweet
you'd damn it if you knew
woolen skies
and pumpkin pies
and feathers at the heart of the moon

and then it twists
to the major, pealing, blooming:
azure minarets
rise from the boiling mercury sea
show us man against his brother
and all the lions
kin in their feast

we carried it with us
to where the road and the ice end
only to
renounce it like a dog
confused and hungry
only to
follow us, its teeth
green in our hearts