Paul asked the United States
Fish and Wildlife Service
to place him on
the endangered species list.
Especially this pandemic winter
when loneliness
feels six feet under
the bared desert expanses.
He adopted a white linen
pillow case of surrender
but no enemy appeared
to intern him in a crowded camp.
The oblique sunlight
shies from touching his body.
copyright © 2022 Kenneth P. Gurney
Umflop 