Dark

i stepped into the room,
choked in the dark
and backed out

Taking a maiden's arm
I again braved the unknown
A step-here and here-again

Slowly, she eased me
into my place
where I melted
into the blackness

I hesitated first
then, put my hand
where she would keep hers
and met the chill
of exposed metal

she was smiling
and looking into
another pair of eyes