Poem 145

I can remember Jill saying about this poem that you never think about what might be going on in the other person’s  mind …

Walking Loudly

She is afraid
   in the nap of the dark street
with the noise of my boots
behind (and I am walking
loudly thinking it's the soft-footed
they fear most) dawdling
    to keep my distance
though my steps are longer
and perhaps already she is wondering
why I don't pass her
why I pace myself to her
       in the empty street
where I once saw a woman
   run from the bus
all the way up the hill to home

       go on
              I don't want
       to hurt you
       and you can never afford
       to believe that