the man in front of me is animal and angry and loud and harsh he is irate, drunk on frustration, stumbling for me in his haze of red mist- desperate for contact his claws grip me i am ugly and hot sickly from his grasp i try to shake him off the beast tightens his grip bawling hands into my hair shaking me left to right i remind myself of a lamb for slaughter. i feel disgust for myself. this creature of anger pummels me with his paws and his poisonous words and his hatred i am reminded that humans are top of the food chain animals spinning delicate lives like webs humanity plucking each for a starter i want to scream pummel back i want it not to hurt and for my tears not to well but i cannot. and the forest quietens as the last deer is laid to rest and my father- this predator of cruelty pulls the trigger.