It’s safest.

The panther in me

won’t set off chasing you.

The fawn in me,

will remain present.

Pleasant words

come out of my mouth for months, years –

then stranger’s words come out when you come around.
What sets them off?

Your primitive prey moves.

doe eyes

mouselike ears

scent of fear

stir up the trillions of predatory animal atoms I wear

in the tissues of forests under my skin.

The hunting atoms come out in the clearing

and watch the egg shells you hear

after one day

you’re walking on

are the newly hatched

chicks you ate in my home.

The panther, fox, the wolf and owl

and trillions of more atom animals,

hunting yours and yours hunting mine.

This is why we don’t get along,

and not even with ourselves.

©️December 2024 Much Love, Deb Poems