two poems, below, one poem prompted by a photograph, both on the theme of freedom, maybe grace

imagine this
but don’t do at home or at the zoo

a lion in a cage
or any creature that have tooth or claw
or open
with
the cage left open or maybe having
broken without knowing
over time

and to be near
there is great fear of
our own
lives
beholding

yet also the delight in
nature freed
in
witnessing extraordinary muscle
from
impulse

picture of a fox
with thanks to Alexander Sinn

this might have been outside my door
it wasn’t
but how wonderful

an inquiring look
a standing on all four

all grace
not knowing any other

gold colors
against gray
if
gray is useful
shading black and white

though in green
or on an earthen plain
the
surprise
the stunning character of life
that’s not our own
but
serves
as the fox gives
of
its own heart without awareness

c l couch

photo (fox) by Alexander Sinn on Unsplash
n.b.—sorry, I don’t know how to insert a photograph, only add (one) feature image

photo (lock) by Marcelo Bassi on Unsplash
n.b. 2—cages are being turned over, or not have been built, in favor of more open enclosures and parks (we could say habitats)