instinct

she is
so intense in her fear:
her nostrils quiver
at the scent of society's danger;
caught in the glare
of each stranger's casual glance
she turns,
no defense except vigilance,
gracefully shivering
to the rhythm of footsteps that pass
and when my eyes
ensnared hers
I could feel her ask me to speak
for my humanness -
its inborn evil...

(1998)