Want To Animal

Want to become an animal
but don’t want to spend a lot of money

Want to armor my back and thighs
like a dragon might be so armored
but do it on a budget
and not permanently

Want to sing in the morning
and charm somebody’s pants right off
like some warbler or finch (I can’t name birds
on sight but I like the sound of those names)
but I can’t afford the singing lessons
and I’m not made for flight

Instead of being a man
who has to take everything so seriously
ravenous yet considerate of all consequences
to the seventh generation
careful of feelings today

Want instead to be an animal
but gently, as if
animal were a costume
to be put on and off
Release my familiar
to the end of its leash
and no farther

Being a man is so antique