i am
no hunter
relentlessly
chasing prey
though
the instincts
worn dull by
generations
of civility
still seek
the chase
after those
with no interest
in being caught

i don’t pursue
not any more
no reason to
disturb the peace
by offending the
docile creatures
simply trying to
survive themselves

beauty has become
a passing glimpse
too pure for the
callused hands of
a foolish poet who
breaks as much as
he is able to repair