In Forest That Wandered Off and Got Lost

You would like there to be something
Like a primeval wilderness,
Even if not. Feral would do

Fine, maybe better in fact. Feral
Is wilder in the older sense—
No park, no gates, no protection,

No praise for approximation
Of undisturbed states of nature—
Just snarling, quick to bite or flee,

Slow to trust. Feral wilderness
Would be genuinely scary,
A real risk to get through the night.

You want art not to be charming
Escapism when you escape.