Meat

Wouldn’t give you the name
of every animal I’ve eaten
even if I wanted to
(unless you asked me nicely).

Unsurprising pig, fish
bovine, fowl–consumed
their bodies all
with no remorse. But

if I told you I’d chewed up
alligator, frog legs–slick
unsympathetic beasts–
would you flinch? Maybe
but not because of love.

So if I tell you the names
of the creatures I’ve swallowed
that you could care for
promise me you’ll cringe
where I can see you.

Show me your face
when I tell you how
I’ve savored the taste
of kangaroo and squirrel,

had seconds of raccoon
and tender elk. Don’t look
away when I tell you how
I’ve devoured hare
and youngling deer.

Watch me while I describe
the way my teeth have torn
the flesh from the bones
of innocent things.