you have to explain

something about sliding off the thin, cardboard lid
i remember very specifically there must be a comma
between thin and cardboard … my body’s heat printed onto
into the otherwise cold floor, shoebox shaped like a shadow

somehow subtly connected to this idea of a shadow
the shadow representing something hidden-aggressive
the next line emerges, rhyming mask with dagger
and suggests things are not what they seem

the white door, its gilded knob counterclockwise creaking, opens stage right,
i don’t notice — too involved, self-involved — i must have noticed
eyes close, nose inhales deeply, points of the lips twist up
the excitement of being caught, the rush of causation

you have to explain what you find
you have to explain what you find
you have to explain what you find