Sniper - July 9, 2000

It begins
like sniper fire
in a narrow alley -
every shot counts
every hit hurts.

Practice 
and deliberate ignorance
are the only shields
against the
obvious barbs.

Watching the words,
prying them apart,
knowing their intent,
I have become inured
to them,
absorbing them,
mourning them,
shedding no tears for them.

I am not feeling them,
nor the excitement,
until I leave -
then I can feel.