Many times
I have felt the history
of fang and claw
written in my blood
rising to greet
the civilized world.

Triggered by
body language,
a certain look
or snicker,
a trespass
over an imaginary line.

It rises, a vibration
hovering in my chest,
gurgling low in my throat
like a bear growling.

And I am taken
out of my body
in a flash
to some psychic
killing field
where my hands
are around your throat
as I spit out the words,
“Laugh now!"

I breathe,
and return,
smiling at you
tight lipped
over what is left
of my canines,
devouring you
with my gaze instead.

I am human,
not animal.
I tell myself this.
I tell the vibrations
this truth,
hoping they’ll remember
next time.

But they have
a truth of their own,
and no ears
for mine.

Who am I to say?
Depending on the darkness
of this new age being born,
they may yet be a blessing.