The birds take flight as we approach
Keeping at a safe distance from us
We birdwatchers born into a predator species
Capturing images shooting with a camera
Why no one wants their picture taken by a stranger
Without first asking for their permission
And children's faces are completely off limits
To keep them hidden from predators
Why so few people can be seen in my photography
Especially if you are a woman subject to the male gaze
Feeling unsafe wanting to avoid any interaction
For whom predator is a gendered noun like me
Though women of a certain age become invisible
No longer attracting unwanted attention
To be overlooked is to be completely disregarded
Not recognized as a worthy human being
So too people of color must be wary
Careful not to present any pretext for offense
As if being visible is a form of disrespect
For whom predator is someone who looks like me
My experience of being seen as a threat
Though I personally am not one to be feared
Resulting from my existence in this culture
Leaves me longing for an alternative reality
