The woman who isn't afraid

February 9, 1984

I know it is only a picture, but I envy that woman, her arm on the head of a lion, her eyes, beyond his sharp toothed grin, the woman who isn't afraid, who keeps tigers and lions and is never kept down, though their eyes roar through her mind and she feels the claws in their stare, though their threats are as wide open as solitude, she soars past them. they do not know it is only flesh and bones, that part of her trapped in their lair, guarded day and night. The woman smiles, absolutely free, completely protected.