M. Hank

They come out of nowhere,

people rising up from the ashes,

no coordination, no plan in place,

just people who, at the same time, spread all over,

I walk through empty streets that I don’t go through anymore.

crying over a simple email 

the lasts build a lump in my throat 

last time beaming onstage 

signing yearbooks 

wearing a stiff blue skirt 

Gentle waves curl over themselves

Like blue and white ribbons

Twirling together to captivate the eyes

The sky is in flames

Shades of orange and red

Reach through the blue

My watch did not enjoy my run in the rain.

This morning before the other humans had stirred,

I woke to the ringing of an alarm that was not my own,

and saw the irresistible rain.

Now my watch doesn't tell the date.