Mailroom Mayhem

One night in the mailroom at Oberlin College,
I heard a mysterious sound.
I turned ‘round a corner, and that’s when I saw it:
A black critter flopping around.

At first, I declared, “It’s a bird.” In a second,
I backtracked with “No, it’s a bat.”
A woman nearby started talking with me
As to what we could do about that.

The bat spent a minute at rest as we talked.
I may never recall what was said.
No matter: The woman stopped short with a shriek
As the bat rose and flew near her head.

I tried to assure her that bats are unlikely
To touch us, much less to attack,
But this one had arced and was heading my way,
So the word from my mouth was “RelACK!”

I’m certain my face showed a rictus of terror,
And yet I was rooted in place.
Perhaps fascination outweighed all my fear,
For the flyer, though ugly, showed grace.

Whatever went on in that animal’s brain,
It did not reach my body and bite.
It circled again and discovered the door.
The experience sure made my night.