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