there's someone following me

out of the corner

of my eye

i catch someone following

me.

a shadowy figure

in a tan trench coat,

he's fleet of foot, 

and wearing a fedora hat,

creeping

closer and closer

when i look back.

i cross the street,

duck into an alley,

turning

over trashcans behind me

to slow his pursuit.

i zig zag.

i go through a Chinese

restaurant

and slip

out the back.

i go down into subway,

and take

the first train coming,

but he's still

after me,

i can see him running,

after the train.

waving at me through

the glass.

he's holding a briefcase

in his hand,

it looks like mine.

i see my initials on it,

and where the dog chewed

the corner.

but it's too late,

i've lost him 

as the train speeds forward

on the north bound track.