he was
an armadillo
retreating
into his
carapace
whenever
he was
overwhelmed

he may as well
have carried
leprosy
as repugnant
as the world
found him
in general

rocking on
his back
curled up
into a ball
staring
at the ceiling
hoping for
a sign
he knew
was never
coming

he was
an armadillo
always in
the midst
of escape