Chameleon

Chameleon creeps
Silently and stealthily--
Imperceptible.

Fades into the grass
Scales transform to vital green,
Earth-toned underside.

Tiny forest clears
To sterile grey-beige expanse--
Riddled with valleys

Forged two feet apart,
With objective precision,
Of machinery.

Lizard's nose protrudes
Between thinning blades of grass--
Scopes out surroundings.

Wondrous eyes expand--
He enters foreign landscape
With trepidation.

Reptile forges on--
With heart and mind still unsure,
Body turns to beige.

Beady eyes gaze up--
Register abject terror--
Certain death awaits?

Massive rubber soles
Stampeding--cushioned thunder?
Stroll towards building.

Mingled voices break
The quiet of the morning--
Abrade atmosphere.

Group of preteen girls--
Gaggle of giggling giants,
Eyes like laser beams.

Sound in the distance--
Girl scurries haphazardly,
Clothes and hair askew.

Backpack dwarfs her frame,
Rapid, erratic breathing
Punctuates footsteps.

Yearning to catch up,
She struggles for the fringes--
"Friends" today? Who knows?

Queen Bee gazes back--
Nonchalant indifference
Mirrored in her eyes

Turns back to her friends--
Silent consensus ensues:
Lemming to transform!

Smirking manically,
Syrupy-sweet voices form
Superficial words.

New girl, still naive--
Astuteness not developed,
Happily joins group.

Following their cues,
Feigning interest in gossip,
As her conscience weeps.

Chameleon stares
Horrified at counterpart--
Must she conform too?