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“Resurrection”

We’re bringing back apex predators
–not from the brink of death but death 
itself, their fossilized bones
birthing new warm bodies that breathe
fresh air, pump blood beneath fur
long as a sigh, white as fallen snow:

a family of bright eyes, lolling tongues 
dripping with delight. I recognize 
the lilt in their loping run, the pure joy 
of being alive. The males play until 
their sister, hiding within the shade
of logs scattered to the side, is ready 
to join their game. Yet as I watch

these fellow creatures frolic on this,
their first day together–one girl 
and two boys romping
supervised and somewhat free
(if only from extinction),
they don’t seem to notice the wood
with metal mesh limiting their land;
they range and run on bright green grass
beneath a brilliant shining sun casting beams
they were never destined to see.

And I wonder, maybe 
we need to be reminded
we could fall off the face 
of this swiftly spinning world.
In ten-thousand years,
will they return the favor,
bring us back into the light?

*inspired by the article “ The 3 Dire Wolves Who Were Brought Back from Extinction Meet for the First Time in Captivating Video ” by Moná Thomas published at People.com on August 12, 2025.