Freeform (Poetry)

Precise
as any gene-controlled
markings on fur
dark words
pattern the pale paper
revealing the species
of poem — the pelt
gives away
whether predator
or furtive prey
picking out gender
according to
colouring — chosen by
season or caught in
indifferent light

While those
nurtured by night
develop untidy
lines that blur soft
to camouflage shape
use dots and dashes
slinking along
as though
loathe
to be recognised —
unidentified
as a common
or garden type — shy
with grey featherings ...
selected
from vague
hesitant twitchings
awkwardly evolving
to freeform bodies
their fluid run wild —
often nocturnal
by birth