A human can appear in light,
to possess beauty of movement, face,
a perfection of nature. But each time
night fell, our doors shut, I learned
the dark shows truth, brings forth
snakes and vermin, sly movement
with slitted eyes, furtive and quick.
Drop a white hood
over beauty, in the dark, and see
smoky flames reveal festering hate.
I know, learned young, hate hides
its face in unexpected places.
I learned to watch in the dark,
never surprised at things discovered.
