(jack) Griffin
The ocean waves are active,
The breeze is nice and brisk,
The children play in the sand,
Towers and parapets with moat.
I am surprised that no one has noticed
My footprints in the sand.
Leaving the moving acres of tan and foaming water
I stand at a stop with two other folks,
Paying me no mind, they stand quietly.
The autobus approaches and the eager attendees tense.
They enter and I follow,
The conductor demands no toll from me.
To Baker and 72nd we approach,
A man pulls the stop line,
The carrier pulls to a stop and the man erects
I follow him off as it is my stop as well.
I stand ready to cross the street, and as I cross
The behemoth lurches forward and strikes me.
I bounce off of its front, landing painfully on the curb.
Bleeding from several wounds acquired from the crash,
I stand.
The city streets are buzzing,
The air is rank with fumes and smoke,
The denizens are busy scurrying about,
In bowlers, and two-piece suits with coat.
I am surprised that not one of them has noticed
The blood trailing my steps.
I call out, to no response,
To no aid, and no hope.
I continue forward and call again,
A man huddled in the corner of a building,
Freezing, like the heart of a cruel mistress.
He tensed when I cried out for help.
He heard me.
I approach the shivering man,
I inquire to his state, he quivers and remains silent.
I know you can hear me, I need help!
I grab his shoulder and pull him over to face me.
My arms fall limp to my side, in awe
The man staring up at me is a reflection.
I turn to flee, mixed feelings of doubt and terror
How could it possibly be? How can he be me?
As I amble forward the air becomes sharp and cold.
Bleeding and shivering, I fall to the ground amidst the crowd.
Fading, the day becomes night at 1:42pm.
The streets suddenly become deathly quiet.
Just another day in the city.
Copyright © Christopher Coleman | Year Posted 2009
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