the darkened hallway in which i sit
is hardly a place for you.

the light lives in the cracks under a door,
and in the faded flicker of a burnt out bulb.
the light here is not enough for you,
you would wither slowly.

the smiles in this hallway are cracked,
broken grins stretching too wide.
these mouths would swallow you whole,
eat your joy and take it for their own.

the mirrors will distort your reflection,
and you will see your face peering back at you,
murmuring your worst fears, darkest desires
calling you to step into the glass.

this darkened hallway in which i sit
is hardly a place for you.