long ago I battened down my hatches

shuttered my doors swallowed the key

determined never to let in hurt harm

pain injustice agony affliction torment

alone in the dark I still shuddered dread

the fear within perhaps not from without

mistaken I flung open windows smashed

all my locked orifices walked to the light

torrential rains burst open tornados came

I retreated yet the wind blew my door shut

made frosted animals on my closed panes

making me creep into a closet lock that door

I was never meant to be in this world naked

too easily frozen is my flesh and things beneath

too tough to breathe air stirred with emotions

dim dingy inky unlit not of my own making