I know you by your footsteps
by the cadence of
your body
in the corner of my eye,
moving into view
barely
brushing against my peripheral.
I know you by the electricity
in my back
in my shoulders, buzzing
as nested wasps stir
when the outside world
draws too near;
all the while
immovable
– the hushed hunter –
waiting for the right moment.
I wish I would
not think of it as an attack.
Even the quietest hello
is not so easy.