Calculating Minds

Calculating Minds

She steps back, trying to clear his path

while attempting to make herself small,

insignificant, invisible in the shadow of the wall,

but it is soon too clear

that in this process she has failed.

He sees her, eyes her,

stares at her in an intimidating way.

He’s not very old;

an adolescent putting on delinquent airs

as he struts towards her.

Chin jutting forward, shoulders hunched;

it’s a posture that speaks of aggression.

She knows before he says a word

that his sole intent is to terrify her.

Perhaps he was thinking that he would make her

scream out in fear,

for her continued silence seems to shatter his self-confidence,

to batter at his bravado.

The command when it comes is more of a frenzied bark,

his words muffled and indistinct,

making them sound more like a plea than an order.

He sounds almost scared of her.

She recognises him then;

a guy from her class who is mature and responsible.

Who was he trying to impress

with this anti-authoritarian act?

Not her, she is sure of that.

With recognition she finds her own bravery

and calmly calculates the best moment to laugh,

to walk away.

The last shreds of fear fall

as she brushes past his side

and walks steadily, deliberately,

and finds that he does not follow in her footsteps.