Stripped

The plane is flat and gray and there is nothing there but rocks and ash and there is nothing green to eat.
It goes on forever, without end, and only the wolves are not afraid and they accept the plane the way it is.
There are other creatures, delirious and crazy.
They tell stories to each other of waterfalls and lily pads.
They all know someone who has seen them but none of them have seen them with their own eyes.
The wolves, tall and thin, their coats ragged and gray, walk stoically and without rest.
They go side by side, their teeth glistening and their yellow eyes fixed on the horizon.
One almost falls out of step and the others snarl and growl and afterwards they walk in unison again.
They take pride in knowing that they are the toughest and brightest and meanest on the whole godforsaken plane that goes on without purpose, and with no end.