When the Watchful and Fearful Was Caught

The police officer took a closer
look at the handcuffed man.
The suspect's face told of all --
unsightly scars, vice, violence.
It was rumoured that he had
bombed ATMs but he looked
poor from the crown of his head
to the soles of his feet -- perhaps
a rumour was all it was. Misery
and fear were written all over
him as if he slept more lightly
than any soul and fed more alertly.
He looked over his shoulders daily.
All that could not help him evade
the long arms of the law forever.
He was caught like a wingless bird.