My window is round.
Partially obstructed,
By the piece of metal.
That helps me line up,
To place pieces of metal.
Through an object,
That looks like a human being,
But I identify as a threat.
Some threats pee sitting down.
Others standing up.
Threats wear all different clothes.
But I’ve been made to think about it,
Like back in basic training.
Charlie—the plastic man on the range,
That helped me prepare,
To look through my window
Into the sandstorm and the setting sun
That is my world.
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This article appears in Feb 23 – Mar 2, 2017.