Fear

I am innocent
I am not a child
I know nothing of the pleasure
Brought from pain
And I am caught

I am shaking as the prey who stands
Between the cross-sights of the hunter
In the moments before
Shots rip flesh and fainting comes
Carrying away conscious thought

Do not confuse naiveté
With immaturity
I am an ancient soul
In a virgin’s body
Ignorance is not stupidity
And I will not be made a victim
Or a fool

If you come for me
When you come for me
Bring to me your lust
Your hunger
Your desire to devour
But leave behind
Your whips, your knives
Your instruments of torture
Or else

You will catch only a glimpse of me
Bounding away into the night.