Il Lupo Mannaro

Even if I was asleep, I could feel that you were awake at night
like a werewolf           pacing a mountain pass.

We were foreigners to each other.
The language you spoke to tell me something Important
was different than the language you spoke in bed, your mother tongue.

I have, of course, a recording of your voice
the same ten questions I asked everyone.
You couldn’t remember the story of how your parents met.

I let my mother listen to that interview once
and although she is a church lady
she said Wow
you two must have had great sex after that…

Signs came and went:
an ill-wish placed above our door by a jealous ex-lover
unquenchable thirsts
fangs.

Then, you set out for the woods
and I never saw you again.

Sometimes when I’m not expecting anyone and the doorbell rings
I still think it’s going to be you
darkening the doorway
no suitcase, no coat, just you
translated.

I wonder if sometimes you pause to take a sip of water
on the trail towards Jungfrau
if you kick the snow
and remember how you used to wake me up
from under the covers, hours after midnight
to kiss me or hold me.

The dream of the Alpinist.