THE BEAST IN ME
Hiking along the Algonquin trail, I noticed a Korean woman
walking along side me. Her earbuds and expression indicated
she had no interest in conversation. We were alone in the forest—
a troubling fantasy arose: I could throw her over my shoulder,
drag her into the woods, and have my way with her.
Shame quickly followed. What kind of animal am I?
To entertain such vile imaginings belongs in a Rashomon film.
Then I remembered some ancient men of wisdom claimed
every man is capable of doing whatever any other man
has ever done, no matter how dastardly the behavior.
When we arrived at the end of the trail, she departed,
barely waving goodbye with the fingers of one hand.