Chameleon Errant

Hitler's armored limousine

on display couldn't be better

not stuffed full with secrets

and early blueprints and bombs

This is all stiffness rigidity

great reserves of preparedness

The fear brain puts out its thoughts

everywhere in the skin

The air is a no-man's-land

Moisture conducts secret messages

In the Middle Ages knights rode out

thus a-clank in armor and mail

the same slow dull glint

along the plates and scales

The creature points its lance

behind protectively

You can see the skin take the sun

and hold it appraise it

Its shadow takes a first step

then it follows

Stand still in a war first

Then you may take action

All of this is clear

in the chameleon's demeanor

Its back a Maginot Line

a Siegfried Line a tank trap

Its head a turret turning

bunker pillbox Normandy

Two opposed-eyes sockets pockets

right and left "Ready." "Ready."

a flared cowl behind its neck

like scanning radar