“Animals” by Luigi Coppola

after Untitled (Forest Scene with Animals and Man) by Hannah Crawford

we are more
than those things

our teeth are example

there is no sabre, no tusk
no row of razors
or score of mill-stones

shut your mouth
and you can cut or mash
nibble or grind
you tear off fat chunks
you pulp fine pâté

and they are ordered
arranged
they allow for words
laughter

for kissing
for the tasting of love

Poem first appeared in South 46, Oct 2012

Luigi Coppola (sites.google.com/view/luigicoppolapoetry) teaches and writes in London, England. Shortlisted for the Bridport Prize twice, he appeared in the Worple Press anthology ‘The Tree Line’ and publications include Acumen, The Frogmore Papers, The High Window, Ink, Sweat and Tears, Iota, Magma, Orbis, Neon, Rattle, The Rialto, THE SHOp and Snakeskin.