-- bare feet on tile
linoleum, slippery-cold
my feet leave trails of human warmth
down the length of the hall
the man beside me wears shoes
rubber and nylon shields
against the touch of life
that seeps into the floors
he wears gloves
latex armor
to protect him from contamination
from exposure to illness
he carries a mask
pure white cotton
he tastes himself with each breath
refusing contact with the world

when did being human
become a disease? --