And that is not the barking of pigs you hear The spleen-
angels are wrangling in the garden again Listen There’s 
no need for upset It’s what they do what they are best at 
The angels are experts Are doing their job Trust them—
I know it’s hard to see And the brouhaha stops you Not 
even druks caterwaul like that Feral critters have better 
manners So walk past first then turn Look over your 
shoulder The light is better that way You’ll have to 
listen past the growling The angels are calling your name 
They know what you’re dreaming They’re sitting at your 
table They’re wearing your cast-off shoes

— From Ashley’s most recent collection, Because I Am the Shore I Want to Be the Sea (Subito Press, 2014); republished here by author’s permission

Bio: Renée Ashley