I locked the door to keep harm out,
then wondered why the air grew thin.
The dangers I had feared without
turned small beside the ones within.

In thinking that I could invite
unwelcome peril through my door
I had instead barred any light
that might a troubled soul restore.

A door unlatched might draw a guest
who does not mean the best for me,
but locked inside by fear possessed,
life suffocates most certainly.