In Closing

History bounds into the present,

Glitter-eyed, with musky anal glands.

In this allegory, history

Is figured by Rosanna Warren

As a predator—a mink, to be

Precise—and the poet as the prey.

The history is the speaker’s own.

In fact, history is memory

In this poem, absolute predator,

But at this range, the figure’s blurry,

Something to do with a long-dead boy.

Still, the vividness of that weasel,

History—bright-eyed, musky, anal—

Its beastly nature, seems accurate.

You think you’re waiting on the future

To provide you with your next surprise.

Meanwhile, the past’s always stalking you,

Hunger that will jump you from behind.