every time I go for a walk
and see an armoured van
parked outside the bank
I stop suddenly
and make an abrupt detour

once or twice however
I’ve noticed it too late
for me to turn back
so I force myself
to keep walking
and this makes me seem like a thief
even without stealing

although I get close enough
to catch a glimpse
of the face of the security guard
dimly visible
within his helmet
and see the wisps of beard on his chin
as well as the dark, menacing gun
that looks like a hard, straining snake
deep down I feel assured
because I know perfectly well

that I look nothing like
any of those infamous bank robbers
before I did, I’d have to shave off all my pubic hair
and stick it on my face