Overwhelmed

she is running across the asphalt

barefoot

the blacktop burns badly

Sun must be angry again—

why else does he shoot inflamed glares down at the earth?

she leaves behind footprints of skin and sweat

but they follow her scent instead,

fragrance of fear, ripe with terror and piss

what to do?

where to go?

too much uncertainty, too much pain!

close the book, close the book!

let her breathe, let her recover

she’s slipping, slam it shut!