Nothing to lose at the walk-in
but time—
recognition now raises the stakes
and tickles your sole,
an exquisite stone
under your rolling heel,
threatening to throw you
off balance as you
spin like a twister
before stone shadows.
You can’t pick out words
in roughly traded whispers
drowned out by a pounding
in the back of your head
against a secret door
you hope might be unlocked.