“Darkness falls across the land.
The midnight hour’s close at hand.”*
Strangers creep and growl and stalk
searching for something to pluck.
A young one,
misguided,
too much makeup on
and too short shorts.
She’s vulnerable and scared,
not ready to stroke.
Her mom is gone,
her dad drinks all day long.
She doesn't listen to anyone;
not a preacher or a teacher,
or a friend or a foe.
She’s out on her own,
so cold and alone.
This is what they look for
for play.