the game approaches   
predator and prey   
masking your scent   
with tears along lashes   
that lie so subtly -   
both decoy and sacrifice.   

undecided   
your aim falters   
freezing me in your path-   
the flash reflecting in eyes 
at so fatal an approach   
leaving us lying   
at eachothers feet   
and flung to the bed.   

later   
each will tell a story   
counting each point   
to justify the trophy --  
maybe gravy  will cover  
the gamey taste of the kill  
watching glassy-eyed  
and mounted on your sleeve 
engendering such a hunger   
that slouches toward my heart. ¹  

-jbkluge   
19july1997   
rev20aug1997