The Animal, Time

Yesterday slid in on its belly whispering, hissing, tasting the air of the future with a cautious tongue. It left its scales in the hallway when it scraped its skin off on the door until it sparkled. Today walks on all fours. It bounds into the room and chases its tail with joy. It jumps onto the furniture. Today is a ruffled fur, wet-nosed day. Tomorrow will be two-legged. Striding with stern-faced solemnity, watching the clock, rubbing its forehead, yawning and pacing... Tomorrow will sleep with one eye open. by Lisa (Teel) Rodriguez