my name is jeff

This little dude
crawled into my heart
sharp claws and all

the
slightly dangerous
gain admittance
before the safe ones

Or the ones who try to
appear
safe

I don’t fully trust
anything
without
claws
talons
nails
teeth

Even whiskered kittens
can draw blood
with those
deviously retractable
claws

And puppy teeth –
sharp as needles

Is anything,
– anyone –
truly safe?

I say no.

Even the
fuzzy and furry
are built for self-defense

adaptation
means survival

And so
I prefer those
who wear their danger
on their sleeves

or at the ends of their
digits.