In the middle of town;
It's a busy street for a small town,
Relatively speaking.
Ever so often, I look down,
I am obsessed with the cracks
In the sidewalk--I cannot
Chance stepping on one.
Something bad will happen.
As I walk on, I focus more and more
On the concrete beneath my feet;
I set my eyes and walk and breathe faster,
Feeling the anxiety push me forward.
The cracks are everywhere now.
Where are they coming from?
It didn't look like this
When I set off down this trail.
This is a very bad dream.
I can no longer afford to wear shoes
So I take them off and fling them
Just as another crack begins
To appear right beneath my feet.
I am afraid now. And all alone.
Where are all the people who
Started this journey with me?
Where did they go and why did they leave?
I am desperately alone.
Barefooted, I feel the concrete crack,
Can feel the slight vibrations under foot;
They are coming faster and faster now--
Intent on consuming me.
I must breathe faster, run faster,
Though my feet are bleeding now,
Surely, I can wrap them later
When this sidewalk ends.
I'm not sure there is an end.
The sidewalk is more than cracked now,
It's breaking into chunks and I scuff
My toes and feet bottoms on edges
Of broken concrete which cut my feet.
I am in pain, feet throbbing, bleeding,
Wondering if I will make it another yard.
There is no one to help me,
No one to walk with me, carry me.
I cannot take another step.
Though I know what is coming,
I slow because the adrenaline is gone;
The final step is coming, I know it;
And I will be consumed.
I take a sidelong glance,
Hoping that someone, anyone,
Will see me and reach out to me,
To help me. But all is silent.
And I am consumed.
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