This one, too, is untitled and it's a prose poem
from Tread the Dark.
"I sink back upon the ground expecting to die.
A voice within me speaks out of my ear,
you're not going to die.
You're being changed into a zebra.
You will have black and white stripes up and down your back
and you will love people as you do not now,
that is why you will be changed into a zebra
that people will tame and exhibit in a zoo.
You will be a favorite among children
and you will love the children in return,
whom you do not love now.
Zookeepers will make a pet of you because of your round,
sad eyes and musical bray.
And you will love your keeper as you do not now.
All is well then, I tell myself silently
listening to the voice in my ears speak to me of my future.
And what will happen to you, voice in my ear,
I ask silently.
And the answer comes at once.
I will be your gentle musical bray that will help you
as a zebra all your days.
I will mediate between the world and you.
And I will learn to love you as a zebra, whom I did not
love as a human being."
[LAUGHTER]
[APPLAUSE]