Isolation, it is a fear more acute than

a room full of spiders,

for they at least

might be behind glass, snarling

away, venom rising,

wanting to taste your flesh; but they do it

only because they are hungry, not evil,

you are prey, not ridicule, as the first bite

goes deep into your skin

and the feeling of paralysis

comes over you in waves,

at least you know it is not out of hate.

Ian D. Hall 2017