Do not touch a wild thing…

Do not touch a wild thing.
As tempted as you may be
to reach out your hand
and stroke the soft white feathers,
do not fucking do it.

Keep your hand in your pocket.
Keep your distance.
Show respect.
Show love.

For this wild thing?
It does not belong to you.
It is not here for you.
It does not exist for you.

It lives solely for itself.

And you do it no favours –
no favours at all –
to accustom it to your touch.
It is not your pet.
And it is not for you to try and tame it.

Do not teach it that this civilising
hand is a good thing.
Even if – especially if –
it comes bearing breadcrumbs.

Love it as it deserves to be loved,
and let it call your own wild into life.