Beast

No frosty looks deterred me, no hard stares
Accompanied by forced, unpleasant smiles,
No fear of vengeance from the Faery Isles,
So I went forth and hunted with the bears,
Shared honey, nuts, and berries, chased the hares,
And left our enemies in steaming piles.
Our territory covers many miles
Of hidden paths, and haunts, and foxes' lairs.

I was a beast then. I am still a beast,
No cleverer than any of my friends
Who hunted with me where the forest ends,
About six hundred paces to the east
Of where our enemies, now all deceased,
Lie naked, just as nature's heart intends.