He realized
closing the door
behind him
that
he had taken
a wrong turn.
He said
good morning
introduced himself
and explained
what
he was doing there.
She seemed
harmless enough
diminutive
smiling
quick
in her movements
but when she spoke
a frenzy of words
from
a mind tormented
swarmed toward him
stinging things
frantic
having lost their way
and certain
because
he had spoken
of his own volition
that
the fault was his.
He stopped speaking
realizing
reason incensed her
backed away slowly
opening the door
behind him
slipping through
before
she could say
another word
a narrow escape
clothing
no protection
his body
he discovered
was swollen with venom
in many places
a lesson
he never forgot
about
paying attention to
which doors
one chooses to open.
