Howie Good's poem "an armed man lurks in ambush" is a raw and unsettling exploration of fear, identity, and the haunting presence of violence. Blending surreal imagery with stark reality, the poem depicts a world where every action--whistling birds, numbering trees, and even taking a piss--is overshadowed by the threat of conflict. Through the narrator’s introspective lens, we glimpse the disintegration of normalcy and the heavy burden of existential questions that arise amidst chaos. With its fractured narrative and jarring juxtapositions, Good's poem captures the profound impact of war and conflict on the human psyche, making it a compelling reflection on survival in a world that feels perpetually on the brink.