I am still inside this cave.
Except now, the wolves are in, not out.
Laying on rock, bare, fire beside me, fur around me.
We are together, calm. It is so quiet.

I am thinking about no one. I follow the flames.
Shadow reflections of girl and animal on the wall.
My arm wraps around her, her nose is wet against my thigh.
We are hidden, soft, silent, happy.   

When you left me here, I thought it was temporary.
You never came back, that was the last I would see of you.
A weight lifting, a sensation growing, a tightness releasing.
The energy changed, your absence brought peace.

As the hole grew the wolves knew.
Hour by hour, one by one, they came to me.
From outside in the cold, to my firelit side.
They never doubted my presence. She is the one.

They are sure of me.
There is confidence in our connection, sweet ease.
I was called here to this place so I could light this fire,
inside this cave for my wolves, to reignite my desire.

I am finally protected, safe, circled by a tribe.
Smiling they are, I am their protector.
There is no more wine, I drank the bottle.
It tasted of moonlight, I swallowed the glow.

I will hold this day in my mind forever.
What tomorrow brings is no promise.
But tonight, the soft gestures of my wolves,
lead me reassured and full of strength.

I could not have imagined this day last year.
To tell me I would be alone, naked, lying next to wolves and a fire,
inside a cave, deep in the forest without bother?
I cast a spell, I read the stars, I will have this forever.