Sweet William

I cannot seem to wipe the image of him,
thin and so very childlike,from my mind.
His sweet hopefulness is counterbalance
to his rage, and one never knows which
you will encounter, though with gentleness
and hesitation, he can be bought like a colt
with sweetfeed on a winter’s day. He nibbles,
gingerly at first, then sure, and follows placidly
along, while hidden from sight, lie the prod
and knife patient and ever sharp,
waiting to bring him home.