PANDORA'S BOX

Possibilities
dance in her head.
What pleasures
might there be?
Riches unbounded,
beauty unsurpassed,
joy beyond imagination.

But, what —
what if instead, dread 
lurks there,
the terrors of centuries 
waiting 
in tenebrous depths?

Momentarily
a fleeting thought leaves 
only a chill
Nothingness —
could it be empty?

Mind in chaos,
unbearable curiosity 
outweighs all caution;
she can no longer
restrain her hand.

Trembling with
anticipated delight
(or is it fear?)
fingers fumble
with the latch.

© 1997 Judy Anne