If
pawed at
or just nudged
it surrenders
its whole long self
from the root
where it was born
and begins a one-way
journey through the skin
and the inner ingredients
of some tormentor,
knowing exactly how
and where its point
should go to find
another way out
by using its tightly
hinged fish-scale thin
barbs like fins
to swim through a sea
of blood, and if
its new, outraged,
temporary possessor
should decide it has to
come back now
in the other direction
and pulls at it
with teeth or yanks at it
with bare hands,
he, she, or it
will be taking along
whatever flesh
may be there for
the taking,
while its quiet, amiable
previous owner
walks slowly away
with an easy, dignified
air of forgiveness
but no sign
of pity.