The Rabbit and The Fountain
a man with little to do
slept most days beneath the trees
a blanket over his eyes
a crust of bread in one hand
a turnip or two forgotten in the bag beside him
that evening he stirred
at the sound of something soft
a rustle, a shift
and opened one eye to see
a rabbit with its teeth
deep in his turnip
he caught it
almost without meaning to
pinned it with one heavy palm
while it kicked once
twice
then stilled
let me go
the rabbit said
as if this were ordinary
as if rabbits often spoke
in the quiet before dusk
if you free me
I will tell you your future
he raised an eyebrow
but lifted his hand
the rabbit straightened
shook out its ears
go to the fountain by the wood
be there at first light
your fortune will be waiting
then it was gone
a blur of fur and dusk
and the turnip
cold and nibbled
forgotten in the grass
he sat there a while
watching the branches
sway like old bones above him
a fortune, he thought
his mouth dried
he imagined golden coins
a crown that might not fit
he imagined someone asking
something of him
he did not sleep that night
fearing if he followed one instruction
he may be expected to follow others
and that was not the kind of life
he had ever planned to lead
at dawn
the light poured like milk
between the trees
but he did not rise
he dreamed of a quiet life
with fewer interruptions
more turnips
and less chatter
not far off
at the fountain by the wood
a flock of golden geese
touched down
long necks glinting in the pale air
wings wet with morning
they drank
they waited
then
as geese do
they left
Baskin cooper
Baskin Cooper is an award-winning poet and artist living in Chatham County, North Carolina. His creative life spans poetry, sculpture, songwriting, screenwriting, and voice acting – weaving story, sound, and image together. He holds a PhD in psychology and spent formative years in Cork, Ireland, where folklore and lyricism rooted themselves in his work. His poems have appeared in Verse-Virtual, ONE ART: A Journal of Poetry, Ink & Oak Lit, and more. His debut collection, The Space Between Branches, is currently seeking publication.
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