Samat has watched Tatyana from across the dirty, human pathway. Through the dirty human laughs and cheers for their growls, infantilizing their threats. Tatyana has watched Samat watch her. Accepted his gifts of food and company. She has growled just as loud at the hairless, slow monkeys. She sees in him, a mirror. He sees in her, a chance. They prowl and pace and purr deep in their throats. They have not been fed. They have not been fed. They have not been fed.

They will not be shot in cages like animals.

Written by Jeffrey Holmes, MFA – December 1, 2024