Alarm
The scream blows away
all distraction. Grab the bag
with passport, purse -
don't they tell you, leave
everything behind?
The room fills with the possibility
of entrapment, falling, death.
You leave it unlocked
wrestle heavy doors -
in case of fire, do not use lifts!
You take the steps carefully -
no sense in tripping
and falling ten flights
to certain and painful death
found later among ashes.
Luckily, there's sunshine outside
and five red trucks and men
in yellow suits, crackling
radios, unhurried yet focussed.
A typical event in the cities:
false alarm: tenants on the pavement
exchange gossip, catch up.
Some of us cross the road,
capture a building
whiter than smoke, still gleaming
from rain, the sunshine pouring
down its pristine walls.
I love the way, in this and so many other pieces, you put me right there.
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