He Knew

creeping through the window
he knew that
he didn’t belong
he didn’t deserve
all that he witnessed
knocking over plants of peace
heirlooms passed from
grandmother to
mother to
daughter
these held no meaning for him
so their destruction
came and went
with no remorse
no second thoughts
no haunting emotion

he was above that…
or so he thought

once inside
his step was neither gentle nor
light, neither cautious
nor with empathy
instead he marched
steadfastly
without care
without knowledge 
without sensitivity 
or understanding
destroying that
which wasn’t his
pushing aside that
which didn’t serve him
stomping out that
which others held dear

these had no purpose…
or so he thought

he proclaimed
to no one
yet everyone
that this moment was his
his actions
above all others
his glorious destruction
that would claim the innocence
the safety
the hours and hours of 
thoughtful attention 
others must now right his wrongs
put the pieces back together
reclaim the safety
but never the innocence

his actions were just…
or so he thought

he departed almost
as quickly as he had entered
leaving memories
and beliefs
and items
so precious
they were invisible
to his blind eyes
he no longer crept
nor did he march
instead his gait
was one of unearned pride
for he had accomplished his mission
had upended his target
had done his damage

he had earned respect…
or so he thought

Tori Burris Inkley
5/17/24