Unlikely Animals

by Annie Hartnett

he said that that not knowing what happens next and the fear associated with the not-knowing, that uncertainty and anticipation is what makes us human.

the wild creatures whose daily portion it is to face the possibility of death and tragedy at every corner.

You spend years thinking that you’re the golden girl, and you find out that you’re a giant grouper. A big ugly fish.

Those conversations, those rituals, were the kinds of things that make up a life. The things Ingrid was missing now.

We can do nothing but laugh in death’s face when he comes to call, in shock and awe that he finally came to us! It’s our turn! We were not overlooked this time, even though we had hoped we might be forgotten. Forgotten, please, just this once!

That’s why we like living with animals so

much; they exhibit their joy so outwardly, remind us how to be better alive.