she walked with feet pointed
  slightly inward, her knees
  angled like those of a
  veteran linebacker who’s
  been struck too many times.
her small frame was solid and
  secure upon this land.
  her hands held a purse
  tightly, though from
  behind, i could not see
  distrust.
still, i could sense it in her
  shoulders… in the
  reflection of a stare
  through a shopkeep
  window… in a sigh at
  a corner, as she waited
  impatiently for a light
  to change… that she may
  walk away from me.