the zoo closes in half an hour

and I’ve yet to see the new baby giraffe —

I’ve become a captive of the river otters

*

they remind me of a cabin in Duluth

where not far from shore

I bore witness to their energy & joy

*

I’d let husband sleep; he was just so tired

*

that mystical dawn watery indulgence

felt then like pure magic,

one I chose to keep all to myself