In Harlem

I saw a wolf early one morn While traveling Harlem's street Seemed my safety was at stake just then As I and he stood face to face Upon a lonely rectangular Island Empty streets bordering I thought it odd, his stare It quickened heartbeats within me, as I...not knowing...halted At first, a mean dog I feared, stood poised But soundlessly he paused As though pure harmless innocence he saw just then Or was it unspeakable hunger he felt? Up close, his light brown features like a fox His eyes like topaz, sunlit warm; lingered soft And then; as if to let me pass in peace He stood at ease, as I, a Nurse in full white, eased on. *