The Four

Deep and dark, these forbidden woods,

Sharp, hard, the clap of hooves.

Loud and muffled, the pounding of paws,

Like echoes of a man's guffaws.

Leaves stir stating a small beings hustle,

The thorn strikes moving muscle.

They follow the leader, the alpha, the first,

Grey wolf with an unholy thirst.

Third jumps First, fur entwine,

As they play among the dirt and vine.

The Second and Fourth watch adoringly,

Curling along the mud floor to sleep.

The Second wakes to whimpers and sobs,

The wild of the First the rising sun robs.

The pain of his cries only these understand,

As the change completes from animal to man.