The bunny hops until it sees me
And freezes, assessing and sizing me up
We lock eyes, connected
Neither daring to breathe
In that moment I feel what it is
To be a prey animal, not the hunter
Muscles tense, senses firing
Fight or flight, right now it’s freeze

My balance slips and I stumble
Enough of a warning, the assessment is complete
Hopping off faster, never looking back
Not taking the chance
Of trusting something so unfamiliar

Connection broken
Memory lingers
Wondering if we will ever cross paths
And remember, making the unfamiliar,
Familiar again