WILD FEASTING

Two farm dogs find a carcass

at the side of the neighboring

freeway. I presume the family

does not know their retrievers

have their heads pocketed

inside a dead deer. I know how

it died, but how was the rib

cage opened? The dogs work

quickly like a farm woman

deboning a hen. Who taught

them their exact technique?

When nobody who matters

is looking, and opportunity

lies prone, close to open,

what will I remember to do?

How will the farm carry on?

Eric Charles Hansen teaches English at the Blake School in Minneapolis, and used to be a newspaper reporter.