eyes flicker in the hedgerow round the deck
staring, unseeing, into the dark, cloaking
the single sad light that encircles the entrance  

i imagine a narrow nose below the two orbs
sniffing out all vulnerabilities on the scene
and finding the gentle heart of a victim  

kindness can create a victim if not contained
melting away the jagged skin of armor that
repels intrusion and guards against harm  

unlocking the door, the key shivers in my hand
betraying the soft center of a soul too timid,
seen by the feral eyes alight in the hedge