Kimberly O'Connor

The animals visit my dreams.

The rabbit says if I freeze

in fear, my fear will find me.

The hawk caws take the long view.

The horse lies down on my body.

Okay, I say. I get it. Horse.

The spider says, weave.

The turtle says, slow.

The mouse says study the details.

But what about the hawkI

I ask. The long view?

The mouse’s whiskers quiver.

The hawk swoops down

for the mouse. The bear growls,

her paws dripping from fishing.

The fish flashes in sun,

bleeding. I lay still, finally.

The horse is heavy,

whispering wait. She stands up,

walks away,

dips her nose into grass.