I stood against the wall of the taco stand, seeking shelter from the rain, on cat’s feet he stepped from the shadows, a sinister smile twisting his ashen lips. The collar of his soiled coat pulled up around his ears, fending off the cold. My hands deep in my pockets, a pretense of holding something to ward off whatever he had in mind. We stared eye to eye, I never flinched, but fixed my face to say, make your move. He stepped back still locked in site. The fall of rain camouflaging the sweat that laced my brow. A bitch made of stone with hairs standing tall on the back of my neck, a hint of insanity reflecting from my gaze. Stepping away he broke into a laugh and moved on. I dare not relax for fear of urine running down my legs and tears of latent fear from my eyes.

This poem was inspired by an actual event I experienced several years ago