Growling, snarling, rumbling through
The roots and tunnels leading
Upward

Threat signals smeared along
My lower back, the backs of my knees, my jaw, my tongue
My throat

Run, backwards and forwards or up and out or down and stop.

Let me stop gripping and straining and
Gnawing where the bone does not
Protect.

A small creature only wishes to
Grow.