3 - The Other

My nation is sick, 
My brothers are dying, 
My student lies prone,
Drowning.

​And instead I'm factoring your worth 
At a measure of six feet at a time,
I warrant your voice, your name, your claim, 
If you thought to wear a mask in kind.

No ma'am. 
You cannot approach me.
Yes sir.
I can hear you from here.

​To wander the trails
Of the deep night,
To visit my ents and my fairies,
Then instinctively, immediately 
Pull my guard up from my neck
Upon hearing others from long.

Mask on and measure.
Take note.  
And wait.
Their gait.  Their gaze.
The indifferent haze.

And I mark
a stark Label.

Vector. 
Infector. 


Enemy.