Authority
is a nineteen-year-old boy
with short-cropped hair
and stubby fingers
and a uniform and a gun
he is watching a woman
his eyes wide
she is younger than she looks
squatting by the metal fence
what is the worst that can happen
if he ignores her
what is the worst that can happen
if he acts
he shifts his weight
like a nervous student
one with an important test
the teacher forgot to attend
and what is she doing
neither laughing nor crying
her whispering is too soft
to be called singing
