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Short Stories
Calliope
Calliope's Biography
The Litter
A fanfare of triple barks
announces the moment of conception,
as many days as weeks in a year pass,
five cubs arrival announced by the larks,
receiving a loving parental reception,
as they cuddle for warth en-masse.
After half a lunar cycle eyes open,
and they can look around their den,
their suckling days are gone,
now they eat solids one by one,
dark brown slowly going red brown,
first look at the sun with a frown.
Two lunar cycles, full red brown coat,
summer spent playing and sparring,
learning how to hunt and hide,
fall leaves surroung the den like a moat,
the dogs territorial needs are jarring,
as all family ties are nullified.
Winter slowly takes over the fall,
the three young dogs are driven out,
they must fend for themselves now,
avoid the fox hounds frenzied mawl,
learn the cunning they cannot live without,
and live as long as nature will allow.
Copyright © Calliope 2003
