Walking alone
in a dark alley
in a bright street
just around the corner
hungry faces
stare at me
at my face
at my body
walking faster
past their empty expressions
past their gripping hands
past their paranoid features
I want no harm
because of them
because of stares
I bear no harm
I am not safe
from their looks
from their stares
in their territory
written 12-16-97