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 © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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artly Avatar
September 26, 2026 at 10:31 AM
I've really been enjoying your poem and the emotions and imagery were so vivid that i could easily picture them as beautiful illustration. I'm a commission-based manga/webtoon artist,and I’d love to discuss the possibility of bringing this poem to life if you're ever interested. Feel free to reach out at gm@il : akiracomicart2@ or on inst@: akiraa_artly
Caliri Avatar
December 30, 2021 at 10:07 PM
Congrats on 4th place in my poetry contest! This was a wonderfully mysterious poem, loved the word choice and rhythm of the lines.
Agustin Avatar
December 11, 2021 at 3:57 AM
Thanks for sharing this. Welcome to PS. Meanwhile, I welcome you with the love of God. According to John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God bless you.
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