Once upon a time I was a coyote,

racing careless along the chaparral,

howling true and strong with my pack.

And then the bond was severed

and the coyote died.

 

Once upon a time I was a hawk,

carving rainshine out of thunderstorms,

pushed ever upward by the draft of my rage.

And then the storms broke away,

but so did the hawk.

 

Once upon a time I was a pigeon,

swinging happy on a golden perch, beloved,

praised for my function and potential.

And then the practicality faded,

and now the pigeon has as well.

 

Once upon a time I might have been myself,

but I’d not be able to tell you when.

 

(Hour 6)