Poem for Dan at 30

Whatever was stalking you

Howling with hunger

At your back

You picked it up by the scruff of its neck

And put it down

Snarling

In front of you

You sang to it

You put it to work

You made it laugh

You buried your fingers in its fur

You walked it in sunlight

You named and tamed it

At 30

Everything is in front of you

Ready for your hands

                                          -- New York, October 4, 2010