As I slinked slowly down the basement stairs,
I heard a slam! and turned in fear. The door
was shut, to my surprise. I was alone,
but for my bag. I brushed my hand across
the wall as I went down the last few steps.
I found the switch. I flipped it up.The light,
so bright, swung left and right above.
It flickered on and off and on. It hummed.

I wanted just to turn that thing right off,
but soon my eyes forgave the harsh white light
and I continued on. The bag, my crime,
on my shoulder began to weigh some more.
I watched the light slowly stop swinging before
I moved. The freezer, sitting silently, agreed
the light was right. They hummed a sigh, not for,
but at me. Just shut up! I thought to them.

Of course, they didn’t hear. The hum kept on,
and so must I. With my free hand I raised
the freezer’s lid. The cold damp tongue of air
began to lick my face. Be fast, I thought
and fed that freezer my mistake. I slammed
that lid and turned my back on both. The light,
so bright, swung left and right above.
It flickered on and off and on. It judged.

That light! It made me want to scream! I found
the switch and flipped it off. The dark enveloped me.