A tiny seed plants itself in my head
an invasive species.
The roots spread quickly,
synapsing beyond my brain
    down my body
     down my arms
      down my legs
I'm frozen now. Rooted,
                                                                ­            but not grounded.

I open my mouth to scream--
branches pour from within,
grasping outward.
Anything my branches claw at,
desperately scrambles away.
                                                                ­                                          I'm alone.

I may be infected,
but I am not contagious.