• I left a boy in the deepest part of the forest
    Because I loved him. Just as I walked out of sight
    He screamed, but no one who wished to help could hear.

    The shadows stretched long arms from under the trees
    And he was devoured, whole, tears of rage flowing down his face.
    He dragged himself, later, bleeding and empty, to my door,

    And cried, why did you abandon me, why there? I told him,
    “It was because I loved you so much that I threw you to the wolves,”
    and he said, voice hollow, Well, Mother, I hate you.