-

every tiny atom was straining at its harness
-
it was madness that moved inside his core
-
this could not be a meltdown
-
the reactor was showing normal
-
all indications were positive
-
other than that little twitch at the corner of his mouth
-
and the distant look in his eye
-
but only briefly

.

the ending of landscape was not like the edge of the planet


it was like


one note in a song hanging in the moment
and then fading


They looked at the fireball above their heads
luminescent and bright


one more step
and they all fall off

.

take it back
the little boy said to her

take it back

you really didn't mean it
you really didn't, did you

she just smiled

radiant golden hair blinding him so brightly

a hop
a skip

and then she was gone

along

with his heart
.


duration is clearly not your strength

the editor noted on the draft

you might try typing with one hand
tied behind your back

with no lights on

in a cold room

wearing only those silly shoes

your mother made you wear
to your father's funeral

way back

way back when

you
were young
.