it's hard

It's hard not 

to jump out

instead of

waiting to be

found. It's 

hard to be

alone so long

and then hear

someone come

around. It's 

like some form

of skin's developed

in the air

that, rather

than have torn

you tear.

 

[Kay Ryan {1945- } 'Hide and Seek', from The Niagara River: Poems]