Breathe

Right now I need to burrow my head under my arms,
close my eyes and hide until this litany of fear subsides,
let this parade of memories pass by, this charade of bravado
fall, this mockery of compassion drop it's walls,
to make the Tengu fold its wings, breathe its last,
cease feasting on the salmon stuck downstream
between boulders, slick sides gleaming as he wiggles
desperately toward forgiving, fertile waters, knowing
only that where he is, is not where he's meant to be,
he's far wiser than at one point-

Me.