"I wonder if I flinched when he raised his hand." -from this book I read, the name of which I forget.

i wonder, i wonder, i wonder
if people notice
the flinching
or question the jumping
the trembling
the clenched fists and nail marks.

if they know what it means
and just don't care
that i stiffen
when someone touches me.

i wonder, i wonder,
i certainly wonder.

"flinching" is a weird word.