Trouble

I had my camera and took the shot through
the shop window
and a rather tall ugly lady
neck bent forward
ran out of the shop

"What are you doing?"
she asked,
"What did you photograph?"

"I photographed the naked mannequin,"
I told her.

"I'd rather you didn't take anymore
photos." she said

"All right," I said and I walked down
the street with my camera
With her staring after me

I felt guilty and upset
upset, even though I had done nothing really
improper
It usually happened to me
at least once a day.
I turned, dropped to one knee,
focused, and photographed her.
she waved her arms and screamed
and I shot her again

the trouble with these people is
that their cities never been
bombed and their mothers have never
been told to shut up.