Poem for rabbit

Soft as marshmallow 

charcoal grey

transforming to blue under the light 

I can measure you in two handfuls. 

Ears hanging down 

long arms with small clubby feet 

bulbous head, large barbie–pink nose. 

You sleep with eyes open, 

watching over me. 

Malleable, grab–able. 

When night terrors trespass into my sleep; 

shadows of a man standing 

between my bed and the window,

or 

ugly voices hovering around my head, 

I wake myself with panic, 

reaching for you 

and hold you tight against my chest, 

my chin pressing on your soft head. 

My throat is sore from calling out. 

I flip my pillow 

and close my eyes

on another night of fear 

as you continue 

your lookout 

for predators.