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Sometimes
It's hard to feel safe
Hard to heal from trauma
And relinquish vigilance
When often walking back to my car
From the shops
A hidden man
Suddenly approaches me
From behind
Often startling me
Right as I'm getting in the car
With my hands full of bag and keys
He's determine to get something
To tell me some sad story
Begging, wanting money, or more?
Oblivious of my experience of his strategy.
How do these men not realize
This approach is scary?
Terrifying even
When they pop up out of hiding (or the dark)
Approaching a lone woman
From behind in vulnerable moments
I mourn we both live this way.
~ Aloha Jacqueline