Once There Were Wolves

by Charlotte McConaghy

Their roots tangle together, dozens of trees with dozens more in a web that reaches on forever, and they whisper to each other through their roots. They warn of danger and they share sustenance. They’re like us, a family. Stronger together. Nothing gets through this life alone.’ He smiled then, and asked, ‘Can you hear the beating?’ and we could, somehow we could.

isn’t that the way of animals, to break your heart with their courage, with their love.

She opens her eyes. And looks at me. I am halved and doubled at once.

There is cruelty to survive, to fight against, but there is gentleness more than anything, our roots deep and entangled. That is what we hold inside, what we take with us, the way we look after each other.