Camille and the Criminal Element by Jennifer Lagier

Bad boys seduce her.
Tattooed teenage criminals
expelled for boozing or doping.
The ones in detention who never
bothered with academics or sports.

These are the guys
who make her feel wicked,
inhabit hot dreams,
teach her how to sneak
out the window at night.

Sullen strays who take
what they want without
any sense of loyalty or obligation,
shun collars and leashes,
feed on what they take down.

Jennifer Lagier has published ten books and in literary magazines. She taught with California Poets in the Schools, co-edits the Homestead Review, helps coordinate monthly Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium Second Sunday readings. Forthcoming books: Harbingers (Blue Light Press), Scene of the Crime (Evening Street Press), Camille Abroad (FutureCycle). Website: http://jlagier.net