Read Neon Literary Magazine #36 Page 4

  *

   

  Wolf At The Tattoo Parlour

   

  Wolf paw-clicks sidewalks around 3 a.m.

   

  Wolf knows streets

  restaurant residue-smells

   

                  steam rising as the air warms //

   

  Wolf slinks into a tattoo parlour on 12th, gunshots

                  from near the river

   

                  Wolf lifts its chin, mouths a howl but stops

   

                  silver things in moonlight //

   

  laps up ink // fur

  shifting on shoulder muscles

   

                  shattered glass on concrete

                  paw-pads firm with black skin

  tough, even in steam