Define our finite spaces

Animal Functionsong

Make me a place of peace, and leisure
spider, beaver, mountainwasp
Teach me pain's more beautiful gesture
oyster, salmon, eiderduck
Let me survive past Time that bred me
lemur, tapir, coelacanth
Lead me into the cared-for family
lioness, dambear, pelican
But if I pray too huge this morning
buffalo, mountain gorilla, white rhino
Asking one gift too outré
tusk, milk, civet-musk, panther-silk, ambergris
Thieve me a least sweep scrap of fatback
packrat, jackdaw, jay

- Albert Goldbarth