To Quake

the Earth rumbles, still and

silent and slithering. its

muscles stretch, quivering

like a leopard’s as it lies in wait.

her flank ripples, stalks of grass

fluttering on smooth, dry skin

in the downwind. her breast rises

and falls: her breath

rises and falls. ants Ants

ants crawl on her back, worming their

way through her mane

as they settle

and take root, to feed or to flower.

her pelt reverberates, as if

to the drum of her lungs, and

she growls low and slow.

nose twitches,

hind legs bunch, and

she falls, mid-pounce.