Mammalia to Aves, Aves to Gastropods

Achatina, Giant South American Snail

                   Dream is the reaching out feelers like a snail’s horns. 

                   Reality is the shell or the thing of crystal boxes. 

                   We must have the two together.

                                                                                          — H. D.

Tantalizingly slow, 

the snail shapeshifts across the road

proceeds without distinction 

to death under wheels 

or to safety on the other side.

Unlike a dead fox —

worth a close examination, a photo too — 

I look aside from a dead snail

the smashed box

fluids drained to a shiny smear.

Likely I'll see

another snail alive

extending fore & aft, but not another fox 

like a dove on a city sidewalk 

circling its dead mate.

Strewn by death

these souls linger for reincarnation: 

mammalia to aves, aves to gastropod

time slows 

while gods shake dice.

Vulpes vulpes, Red Fox, zorro