Something in this word draws me,
speaks to my DNA.  It’s where
we came from when we lived
in the trees,  the caves.  I sense
it in my night vision,
eyes narrowed
making out shapes in the shadows,
alert to movement,
any sign of threat.

Every challenge to us
is like a pencil sharpening,
a weapon honed,
we stay awake–
alert to the next coiled snake.