In a Moment's Time
Strolling down a bustling road full smiling of people
A vast array of hues bursting forth to greet the eye of the beholder;
Music cascades from the various shops and one of the passing cars
Laughter pleasantly warms the chilled air.
Without warning the pull of gravity multiplies and both hands slap the pavement;
Looking up, time slows to thick and syrupy consistency
The music is now all but gone and voices are distant as if underwater
Stomach dropping, insides are replaced by complete emptiness.
The concrete liquifies and rises rapidly over wrists and elbows
Before able to push off rock bottom, the surface becomes the sky
The temperature drops and limbs solidify as heavy as lead
Lungs begin to burn as fingers claw upwards.
A scream of anger tears from the lips,
Rapidly boiling the water and the streams of bubbles blind;
From the steam, tongues of flame lick from the fingers
Tar black smoke sears both mouth and nose.
The eyes blink away the smoke to reveal the very same street
But the colors now faded and dull,
Looking wildly around people still laugh and walk on by
As if nothing happened.
Copyright © Abigail Brooks | Year Posted 2021
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