Deepwood Weald arctocephalus

sulukinak ran through the dark.

she ran like her mother's teeth were at her nape.

climbing roots, leaping gaps between logs, slinking under and over and through until something snagged her shoulders.

as she emerged from a patch of briars she was breathing ruggedly, her eyes puddles; around her in great red blooms, roses.

they were the color of blood, mostly.

blood, snow, something in-between; but everywhere.